Escape as an Alternative to Shock-Induced Fighting in Rats

Abstract

The effects of training rats to perform an escape response to the presentation of foot-shock on shock-induced fighting were examined. The procedure utilized 3 phases: (a) establishment of baseline fighting frequency, (b) escape conditioning, and (c) post-escape-conditioning fighting frequency. The experimental design considered treatment group (conditioned or yoked) and target animal (present or absent) as the main variables. The analysis showed a significant reduction in recorded fights from baseline to post-conditioning phase for the conditioned Ss. Further, this reduction was demonstrated to be a function of the increased frequency of escape responding. Target animal and yoked treatment were nonsignificant variables. These results raise questions concerning the reflexive nature of fighting as a response to foot-shock.