Effects of Delayed UCS Termination on Classical Avoidance Learning of the Bar-Press Response

Abstract

83 Ss were run in two experiments involving delay of shock termination. In the first, shock was terminated a brief interval after a shock-escape response, while in the second, only responses occurring a brief interval after shock onset were effective in terminating it. Although both procedures were designed to facilitate avoidance acquisition by minimizing freezing behavior, in both cases the use of delay led to decrements in acquisition.