Transfer of escape conditioning to extinction of a food-reinforced response

An alley and goal tank are connected to separate reservoirs containing constant temperature circulating units. These units allow automatic and precise control of water temperature which is used to manipulate drive and reinforcement with small laboratory animals.

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Effects of Pretraining with Fear and Escape Conditioning on Shuttlebox Avoidance Acquisition by Goldfish

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1972.31.3.919 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 919-924 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Robert L. Gallon

Keyword(s):

Fear Conditioning ◽

Process Theory ◽

Avoidance Acquisition ◽

Escape Conditioning ◽

Shuttlebox Avoidance ◽

Present Procedure

Goldfish received 20 trials of fear conditioning with or without an escape contingency, escape conditioning, shock alone, or adaptation prior to shuttlebox avoidance acquisition. Fear conditioning facilitated acquisition as predicted by two-process theory. The result is interpreted to show that fear conditioning establishes the CS as motivational and that the present procedure enhances the effect of an aversive CS. Neither shock alone nor escape conditioning significantly affected acquisition.

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The secondary positive reinforcing properties of the cue in “automated” discriminated escape conditioning

Psychonomic Science ◽

10.3758/bf03331857 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 149-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. Gene Davenport

Keyword(s):

Escape Conditioning

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Social Control of Learned Avoidance and Some Evolutionary Implications

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1968.23.1.163 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 163-174

Author(s):

Alfred B. Shaklee

Keyword(s):

Social Control ◽

Social Cohesion ◽

Exploratory Behavior ◽

Avoidance Training ◽

Test Chamber ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Escape Conditioning ◽

Test Situation ◽

Social Stimulation ◽

The Social

The effects of avoidance training and of social stimulation were studied in 42 rats assigned as littermates to one of 4 experimental groups or to a group of stimulus Ss. Avoidance-trained Ss received one brief escape conditioning experience in which reinforcement was initiated by Ss' exploratory behavior. Using time spent by Ss in different regions of the test chamber, it was possible to demonstrate effects of both factors, with a reduction of avoidance in the presence of a second animal. This phenomenon can be demonstrated in a test situation having common properties with natural environments. The social reduction of stress and of fear and avoidance which may accompany it is analyzed with respect to potential adaptive functions. It is proposed that this effect has been a major factor in the maintenance and further evolution of social cohesion in many species, including man.

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