Behavioral category model

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Fields
  3. How it fits together
  4. Category hierarchy
  5. Submission process
  6. Permissions
  7. API access

Introduction

Behavioral categories provide a two-level hierarchical classification for organizing behavioral paradigms into meaningful groups by cognitive domain or experimental focus.

This model with its direct connections only: drag to pan, Ctrl + scroll to zoom, click a model to select it, use the chevron to see its fields.

Fields

FieldDescription
NameThe name of the behavioral category (required; string; maximum length: 100 characters; must be unique).
Parent categoryParent category for hierarchical organization. Maximum hierarchy depth is two levels.
DescriptionDescription of what this category encompasses (text; maximum length: 2000 characters).
Adding/editing commentsComments for the submission/approval process.

How it fits together

The behavioral track and the setup track: behavioral categories group paradigms, and an assay is your lab's version of a paradigm on a setup type; a setup is your rig of a setup type, with its equipment. A behavior in a session runs one assay on one setup with its subjects. The behavioral track (left) and the setup track (right) run from the shared taxonomies through your lab’s personal attributes and meet in a behavior recorded in a session. This page describes the behavioral category, drawn solid. The setup type category is a field of the setup type, not a separate record.

BrainSTEM organizes behavioral experiments through a hierarchy that separates shared scientific knowledge from lab-specific implementation details:

  • Behavioral category (this page) — The broad domain of behavior (e.g., “Anxiety & Affect” → “Anxiety”)
  • Behavioral paradigm — A standardized behavioral task shared across the field (e.g., “Elevated Plus Exploration”)
  • Behavioral assay — Your lab’s specific implementation of a paradigm under a specific preparation condition, linked to a setup type (e.g., “EPM 5-min test”)
  • Behavior — The actual execution of an assay within a session, tied to specific subjects and a physical setup

Category hierarchy

Categories support up to two levels — a parent category and sub-categories. For example:

  • Learning & Memory (parent)
    • Spatial Learning
    • Working Memory
    • Associative Learning
    • Recognition Memory
    • Fear Learning
  • Anxiety & Affect (parent)
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Stress Response
  • Sensory Function (parent)
    • Visual, Auditory, Olfactory, Somatosensory, Gustatory, Thermal, Vestibular, Nociception

Submission process

Anyone can submit new behavioral categories or propose changes to existing ones. A submission enters the approval queue and is usable in your own records immediately; it is visible only to you until accepted. Please review existing entries for guidance on what to submit. A category cannot be deleted while paradigms point to it.

Permissions

Once an entry has been approved, it becomes available to everyone. Editing an accepted entry is restricted; an edit creates a change request that is reviewed before it takes effect. Your own pending submissions remain yours to edit or cancel.

API access

The API allows for programmable access, enabling you to read and make changes to entries. For more information about the fields and data structure, please consult the Behavioral category API page.