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Reference.org
Open field (animal test)
open-in-new
<p>Developed by <a href="/facts/Calvin_S._Hall/0qVDrBaN">Calvin S. Hall</a>, the open field test (OFT) is an experimental test used to <a href="/facts/Assay/fPUYjx1I">assay</a> general <a href="/facts/Locomotor_activity/trhhYTVR">locomotor activity</a> levels, <a href="/facts/Anxiety/Geekl883">anxiety</a>, and <a href="/facts/Exploratory_behavior/Dwvwu4NV">willingness to explore</a> in animals (usually rodents) in <a href="/facts/Scientific_research/182j8RWE">scientific research</a>. However, the extent to which behavior in the open field measures anxiety is controversial. The open field test can be used to assess memory by evaluating the ability of the animal to recognize a stimulus or object. Another animal test that is used to assess memory using that same concept is the novel object recognition test. </p>