W. S. Small

Small received a Bachelor's degree from Tufts College in 1897 and pursued a doctorate degree in comparative psychology at Clark University, working under Edmund Sanford. While at Clark, Small conducted what most historians believe to be the first studies of rats learning mazes. His research focused on the formation of associations, which he believed to be the basis of animal intelligence. Small also believed any experimental assessment of intelligence in animals should be conducted in a way that does not disturb the animals’ “natural proclivities.” Using this method, he hoped to develop a better understanding of the animal mind, as well as differences among species and their behavior. In addition to this, Small found it was more beneficial to report the naturalistic descriptions of the observed behaviors rather than quantitative data. Upon completing his graduate work, Small took faculty positions at Michigan State Normal College and Los Angeles State Normal School. Later, he assumed more administrative roles as an educational administrator in San Diego, Paterson New Jersey, and Washington D.C. Finally, he became the Dean of the University of Maryland in 1923 until 1940.[4][5][6]

An example of The Hampton Court maze Small used to create his famous rat maze.

When beginning his research, Small’s initial goal was to work with individual species as he predicted “generalizations would come in due time.” Small was inspired by Edward Thorndike's well-publicized work with rats and puzzle boxes. His graduate advisor, Edmund Sanford, suggested that since rats like to tunnel and since they are capable of homing in the dark, mazes would provide an appropriate means for studying rat learning. Small also argued that this apparatus allowed the rats to exploit their instinctive tendencies and previous sensorimotor experience in solving problems.[7] Small used an illustration of the Hampton Maze from Encyclopedia Britannica to develop three mazes. His investigations ignited a craze and inspired researchers for decades.[4] In order to describe the rats' behavior, Small recorded observations as they occurred, focusing more on the rats' behaviors rather than objective completion times.[8] In particular he learned that the male rats had a different behavior rate when not intimidated. In term when the rats are in their habitat, there are other factors or rats involved. In the lab you can keep them focused in their own environment on one thing getting through maze (Thorndike, E. L. (1901).

The study is considered one of the most influential studies in psychology. The maze specifically was seen as a useful device, being used by animal psychologists through the 1920s and onward. A notable study is James Porter's work in Indiana University using a modified maze with sparrows. Small was also able to show that studying animals was useful for psychology to compare their behavior to humans.

This research contributed to the field of experimental psychology and animals. Small’s work with rats allowed him to be compared to well known psychologists such as Edward Thorndike. While his works did all have strong premise, there were short comings to his work in the mazes. For instance, the rats ran free overnight learning the turns, and alleys of the maze.(Thorndike, E. L. (1901) Review of Experimental Study of the Mental Processes of the Rat Psychological Review, 643–644.). Although, there were loose ends in the study it didn’t take away from the findings that are still used today. That rats make behavioral decisions based on environments and not rewards.

His influence toward studying learning in animals is evident in the early writings of Watson, who emphasized the study of individual species. Shortly after the publication of these studies, application of this maze with other species became more prevalent.[5]

• Small, Willard S. (1901). "Experimental Study of the Mental Processes of the Rat. II". The American Journal of Psychology. University of Illinois Press. 12 (2): 206–39. doi:10.2307/1412534. ISSN 0002-9556. JSTOR 1412534.