To investigate the effects of handling as a factor distinct from environmental novelty, adult rats were subjected to a brief period of handling in their own home cages. In one group handling was preceded by a signaling tone; in another group tone and handling were not paired. Handling elicited similar, clear-cut increases in activity in both groups and lost some of its effect with repeated presentations. No significant changes in activity during the signal which could be attributed to the tone-handling contingency were found.
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