Individual differences in aggressiveness in rats.

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Abstract
The present expt. constitutes observations of the aggressive behavior of rats when placed together in pairs under various conditions. Three groups of 10 animals each were employed, and in each group each animal was paired twice with each other animal under each of the conditions observed for that group. The aggressiveness of each member of the pair was rated on a 7-point rating scale for each 5-min. observation period. Conditions of observation were: 1) normal[long dash]no change in animals'' schedule, food and water available at all times; 2) Thirsty[long dash]animals deprived of water for about 21 hrs. before pairing, no water available in the observation cage. 3) Water[long dash]immediately after observation under condition 2, animals were placed together in small cage with single water-spout so that only 1 animal could drink at a time. 4) Post-sex[long dash]after caging the oo with oo for 10 days, they were isolated for 5 days and again paired.[long dash]The authors conclude that "the findings .... support .... the hypothesis that aggressiveness is a basic inborn temperamental trait or disposition.".