An apparatus and procedure for the avoidance training of rats is described. 22 rats were trained in the apparatus, and the rapidity of learning was contrasted with that of previously-used automated apparatuses. The new technique prevented many major problems associated with traditional avoidance procedures, both automated and manual.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BaumM.“Reversal learning” of an avoidance response as a function of prior fear conditioning and fear extinction. Canad. J. Psychol., 1965, in press.
2.
BrogdenW. J.LipmanE. A.CullerE.The role of incentive in conditioning and extinction. Amer. J. Psychol., 1938, 51, 109–117.
3.
CoonsE. E.AndersonN. H.MyersA. K.Disappearance of avoidance responding during continued training. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1960, 53, 290–292.
4.
D'AmatoM. R.SchiffD.Long-term discriminated avoidance performance in the rat. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1964, 57, 123–126.
5.
DennyM. R.WeismanR. G.Avoidance behavior as a function of length of non-shock confinement. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1964, 57, 252–257.
6.
DotyB. A.DotyL. A.Effect of age and chlorpromazine on memory consolidation. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1964, 57, 331–334.
7.
KnappR. K.The acquisition and extinction of instrumental avoidance as a function of the escape situation. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Michigan State Univer., 1960.
8.
LeukelF.QuintonE.Carbon dioxide effects on acquisition and extinction of avoidance behavior. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1964, 57, 267–270.
9.
MaatschJ. L.Learning and fixation after a single shock trial. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1959, 52, 408–410.
MillerN. E.Studies of fear as an acquirable drive: I. Fear as motivation and fear-reduction as reinforcement in the learning of new responses. J. exp. Psychol., 1948, 38, 89–101.
ThompsonR. W.Transfer of avoidance learning between normal and functionally decorticate states. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1964, 57, 321–325.
17.
TravisR. P.The role of spreading cortical depression in relating the amount of avoidance training to interhemispheric transfer. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1964, 57, 42–46.
18.
VanderwolfC. H.Improved shuttle-box performance following electroconvulsive shock. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1963, 56, 983–986.