In order to investigate the reduction of the punishing effects of a cold-water barrier in an approach-avoidance conflict situation, three groups of rats (N = 27) were trained to run a straight alley for a reward. After initial approach training the alley was modified by the installation of a water trough in front of the goal. When all groups were tested with 50°F water in the barrier, Ss trained with gradually declining water temperatures in the barrier performed significantly better (p < .01) than Ss trained with a constant water temperature of 50°F or Ss trained with 95°F water in the trough. The results are related to those of similar experiments using electric shock as the punishing stimulus.
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