Fig. 6.

Vicarious trial and error (VTE) occurred on early laps. VTE was quantified at the choice point from headstage-tracked sessions of Experiment 2 by integrating the change in angular position of the head and z-scoring within session (zIdPhi; see the Experimental Procedures section). Larger zIdPhi indicated high variability in head trajectory as a rat passed through the choice point, while smaller zIdPhi indicated that the trajectory was smooth and stereotyped. a zIdPhi for adjustment versus alternation lap types versus lap. Adjustment laps were pairs of laps that proceeded in the same direction (magenta), and alternation laps were pairs of laps to opposite directions (gray). zIdPhi was averaged across all sessions for all rats in 5-lap bins within each group. The mean (filled circles) and standard error (shading) are displayed. The average zIdPhi on adjustment laps is uniformly higher than on alternation laps: VTE is more likely to occur on adjustment laps. b zIdPhi versus lap. Average zIdPhi decreased with lap and was above within-session average for the first 30 laps and below session average for the final 60 laps. VTE tends to occur on early laps