Studies of abnormal behavior in the rat. XII. The pattern of punishment and its relation to abnormal fixations.

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Abstract
The nature of abnormal fixations was studied in three groups of animals which were tested in the Lashley jumping apparatus. They were urged to make a choice, when necessary, by a blast of air. Group I received punishment in one half of the trials and reward in the other half--the insoluble problem. Group II were to develop a position response, and Group III, a discrimination response. Each group was next required to modify the response acquired in the original condition. Responses acquired under conditions of frustration were found to be less modifiable than those acquired under conditions of motivation. Next a frustrating condition was presented for the animals in all groups, i.e. they received punishment for one half of their responses. 90% of the animals exhibited fixation. Finally, when the rats were required to change their last mode of response, it was found that 57.6% of the rats had developed fixations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

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