Rats were trained in a shuttle box with 1 of 5 CSs and with either immediate or delayed CS termination on escape trials. An avoidance response always produced immediate CS termination. Differences among CSs were found, but with all CSs there was a decrement under the delay condition. This decrement is explained on the basis that CS termination serves as a reinforcing safety signal, and the safety signal is more effective when it is response contingent.
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