Single-Trial Avoidance Conditioning in Rats

Abstract
Two experiments were designed to investigate shock intensity (current level), and shock duration as variables in the conditioning of an avoidance response in rats with a single training trial. In Exp. 3, a fixed current and duration were used and the resistance of the established conditioned response to extinction was determined. A grid scrambled 3-ma., 1-sec. shock applied to the four paws as a reinforcement was found to be most efficient in producing a high incidence and magnitude of conditioned avoidance. Training-testing intervals of 1 and 24 hr. yielded comparable results. Increasing the duration of a 3-ma. shock reinforcement increased the resistance of the CR to extinction.

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