Effect of a Secondary Reinforcement Stimulus on the Auditory Startle Response

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Abstract
Two experiments were carried out in which food-deprived rats received food pellets in the presence of an intermittent light-sound stimulus. The animals were then tested in a stabilimeter device for magnitude of startle reaction to a loud, percussive sound in the presence and absence of the light-sound (secondary reinforcement) stimulus. Exp. I showed a non-significant tendency for the startle amplitude to be less in the presence of the secondary reinforcement stimulus. Exp. II was carried out for 2 test days rather than 1. Results similar to those of Exp. I were found for the first day of testing, the startle being less (non-significantly) in the presence of the secondary reinforcement stimulus. For the second test day, however, this tendency proved to be highly significant ( p < .005). Several interpretations of these findings were discussed.

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