32 rats were used to test the deprivation-trace hypothesis of O'Kelly and Heyer (1951). In a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design the following variables were manipulated: delay between saline injection and bar-press testing, 30 min. vs 240 min., presence or absence of food during the delay period, and schedule of reinforcement, VI-¼ min. vs VI-1 min. The only significant differences were the main effects of schedule and delay. The prediction was supported, but alternative interpretations not requiring the hypothesis were offered.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BeckR. C.Effects of variations in water need and incentive concentration on bar-pressing. Psychol. Rep., 1963, 13, 31–37.
2.
BeckR. C.HorneM.Some effects of two thirst-control procedures on eating, drinking, and body weight of the rat. J. gen. Psychol., 1964, 71, 93–101.
3.
BrownJ.The motivation of behavior. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961.
4.
EstesW. K.Stimulus-response theory of drive. In JonesM. (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, 1958. Lincoln: Univer. of Nebr. Press, 1958. Pp. 35–69.
5.
HallJ. F.Psychology of motivation. New York: Lippincott, 1961.
6.
O'KellyL. I.HeyerA. W.Studies in motivation and retention: V. The influence of need duration on retention of a maze habit. Comp. psychol. Monogr., 1951, 20, 287–301.
7.
SmithM.PoolR.WeinbergH.The effect of peripherally induced shifts in water balance on eating. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1959, 52, 289–293.
8.
WaynerM. J.EmmersR.A test of the thirst deprivation trace hypothesis in the hooded rat. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1959, 52, 112–116.
9.
WaynerM. J.ReimanisG.Drinking in the rat induced by hypertonic saline. J. comp. physiol. Psychol., 1958, 51, 11–15.
10.
WaynerM. J.RossJ. A.PrienR. F.Thirst motivation associated with the salt arousal of drinking. Amer. J. Physiol., 1964, 206, 369–372.
