The time, the path, its length and strenuousness in maze learning

Previous findings show that rats in a maze tend to choose the shortest path reach food. But it is not clear whether this choice based on length solely, or some other factors. The aim of experiment was investigate which factor dominates behavior maze: (longer and shorter), time effort (more less strenuous). involved 40 mice (4 groups), learning with two paths. Each group went through only one situations within we kept constant paths while remaining factors were varied. Only fourth situation all equalized. results there statistically significant difference preference between four situations. Preference such always requiring effort.