The next screen looks like this. Select File, and Create Experiment Protocol.
At this point you may also Run a Session if it has already been created.
Psychology 343
Principles of Learning: Lab
Graphic State Notation
INSTRUCTIONS FOR GSN LAB CONTROL SOFTWARE
MENU
Program
Startup
Experiment
Startup
Creating Protocols
Editing Protocols
Global Transitions
Creating States
Reinforcer Duration (Important
Note!!)
Run a Session
Data Analysis
PROGRAM STARTUP
To begin experimental sessions using GSN, select the Graphic State icon on the
Windows Desktop. Be sure that all 5 of the Coulbourn Lab Links are powered on.
You should see 3 lights (red, yellow, green) indicating power on. No other
lights should appear on the Lab Links at this time. If other lights are on, shut
down the computer and turn off/on the power strip. Restart the computer and
Graphic State Notation.
CHAMBER SELECTION
There are 5 experimental chambers, each connected to a separate Lab Link.
These chambers are located in the cubicles in rooms 1-5. Before
beginning an experimental session, select one of these chambers (numbers 1-5). Make sure the pellet dispenser is loaded with food pellets, extra
food is removed from the magazine, and the chamber tray is clean. Extra
food in the magazine and on the floor will make training more difficult.
Place your rat in the chamber AFTER you set the protocol in GSN (next), not
before. Long waits in the chamber when it is not activated by GSN will
serve as extinction sessions!
EXPERIMENT STARTUP
The following screens represent what you should see as you work through
the GSN protocol setup. Your entries will vary as you select specific
chambers to use and as the experimental protocol changes. After selecting the
GSN icon this screen should appear. Note that the Project Code "A_Psychology"
is highlighted. This is the default. Click on Select.
Do NOT enter
values for a New Project!
The next screen looks like this. Select File,
and Create Experiment Protocol.
At this point you may also Run
a Session if it has already been created.
Create an Experiment Protocol
On this page, enter a protocol number. This needs to be a unique number. USE
YOUR GROUP NUMBER. If you select a number in use it will request another.
Remember this protocol number so you can use it again. Also enter a description
such as shaping, FR-2, FR-10, etc to describe the protocol you are generating.
Then click on Global Transitions.
Edit an Experimental Protocol
You can only edit protocols that have not been run. If you are working on a
protocol, but have not run it you use this feature to revise and complete it.
If
you have an existing Protocol for your group
but now want to change it you will need to delete your protocol and Create
it again. To do this, enter Edit an Experimental Protocol, highlight your
Group protocol, select Delete from the menu buttons, and enter
"lab" as the password. Now you can create your new group# protocol.
Global Transitions
This page allows you to set the transition states within your experiment.
For example, the session time. Note at first there are NO transitions
defined. Select Add Time Go To and enter session time as in
the example below (20 Minutes). Sessions are typically 20-30 minutes in
duration.
Click on OK. You should now see the page below. Notice after 20 minutes the transition is to FIN which defines the end of session state (no lights etc).
Close this page and return to select State Creator to create the session state (e.g., a reinforcement schedule or end of session state). At this point, select Close. Do not attempt to Resolve States at this time.
Create States
First select FIN to set the finish state. Notice it highlights red.
Next place the cursor over the State FIN box and double click to
open it. Click on NULL-NONE. This means that the finish state is defined
by all lights out and no reinforcers available. Click on OK to resume.
Next select S1 to define the states during the experiment. Our initial experiments will have only one state where we define the reinforcement schedule. Chained schedules would have several experimental states. Double click on the State S1 box to define the state. Click on H-LITE to turn the house light on during the session. Other stimulus conditions would be set here as well. Select OK.
Next, select Add Event Go To. This will define the response requirement (events) for a reinforcer. At first enter IF 1 1 GO P=100% to S2. This means If 1 response on #1 (left lever) Go To S2 100% of the time. S2 will be your reinforcer. This defines a CRF or FR-1 schedule. For FR-4 on the left lever, enter IF 4 1. Click on OK. To activate the hand switch for lever press training set to: IF 1 3 GO. This line should read IF 1 Event x GO P, where Event x is the response manipulandum. In our chambers 1=left, 2=right, 3=hand switch. The example below is for the hand switch, #3. Note, we do not use #5 "hand switch" for the hand button.
Note: When you are creating the protocol for lever press training you will want BOTH a lever press (#1) AND the hand switch (#3) to operate the feeder. To do this use Add Event Go To for each event. Both should appear below the State S1 box when finished correctly.
Now define the reinforcer. Highlight S2, which just appeared since it was added on the previous page. Highlight FEED1 which is the pellet dispenser in your chamber. Also, make sure H-LITE is on because we don't want the house light to go off while the feeder operates. Click OK.
IMPORTANT!!! The pellet dispenser needs a pulse of about 80 ms to operate, so we need to define this as well. Select Add Time Go To and enter AFTER 1 Units Go P 100% To BAK and click OK. 1 Units is 80 ms, the maximum time for the pellet dispenser. This line is critical. If you enter Minutes or Seconds it will ruin the pellet dispenser! BAK means it will return back to the previous state after 80 ms. In this example the experiment will transition back and forth between counting responses and delivering reinforces. The session will end after 20 minutes, our Global Transition.
Finally, Resolve States by clicking it. If the states do not resolve correctly a box will appear indicating the error. Fix the error and resolve again.
Note: If you are going to be generating a cumulative record (or other form of data analysis, for your session you will not Resolve States at this time. Rather, select Finished with States and see the instructions on pages 19-20.
Click on Finished w/States. Your page should look like this.
This returns you to the GS main page. Select File,
then
Run a Session
Under Operator, enter Psy343.
Under Session Description enter the date (i.e., 100906 for Oct 9, 2006).
In the Equipment Check box click Check to verify the
status of the chambers. Next, select the experimental chambers you
are using. Green indicates active, white means inactive this session. All 5 chambers can be started at the same time here.
If several
chambers are being used they should all be highlighted green. Click the green
indicators to turn them off. In the Protocol
box enter your protocol number (group number 1-10). Different groups
may run different protocols at the same time. To run several chambers
simultaneously, select Multiple Experimental Protocol. Enter the protocl
numbers (group #s) in the station boxes. In the Data Accusitor,
check Pilot for your initial sessions of shaping and check Experimental
Archive for your experimental sessions. This will allow for data retrieval
and analysis later. Click on Run to start session.
Double click on your Station Status box in purple (or boxes for several simultaneous sessions) to define the protocol for your chamber. If several groups are running simultaneously here is where protocols for these chambers are entered. Click on the purple status box to select a group number and protocol.
Enter your Group # for Subject ID. Enter your Group Protocol number and click OK.
Your Session Status box should now be Ready,
indicated in green. Now is the time to put your rat into her
chamber.
Starting a Session: Double click on the
green Ready indicator to start your chamber.
After starting the session check to see that the house light came on and
everything seems to be working as you intended. Sessions can be Paused
and restarted by
clicking on the Session Status box. Other chambers can be started at this
time as well. To terminate the entire session (all active chambers) click
on End/Terminate.
Data Analysis: Cumulative Records
Graphic State Notation has extensive graphing and data analysis capabilities. The following demonstrates how to access cumulative records for your sessions. After creating Global Transitions and States, select Define Analysis. This must be done before your protocol has been used (before Resolve States). If you have used your protocol before this step you will need to create another (see page 13).
On the Analysis Structure page, scroll down to Cumulative Record and select New Element.
Under General enter a graph name (Group #, experimental protocol, and date), For example, Group 2 FR-10 102100. Under Response/Event enter 1 for left lever or 2 for right lever. Under State/Pip enter S2 (or S3) for the reinforcer. Under Scaling enter your session time (e.g., 30 min) for the horizontal axis and an estimated number of responses for the vertical axis (e.g., 500). Click OK.
Next, select Analyze and Review.
Select Analyze ALL protocols and Structures, then click OK.
Select the protocol to graph and click Individual Run.
Highlight your protocol name under your station number and Select Element.
Next, select View Graph.
Your cumulative record should be scaled to your session length. That is, if your sessions are 20 minutes, then the x axis should be scaled to 20 minutes (or the closest option). Print your graph and save it.