Arousal explains difference in avoidance learning of genetically selected rat strains.
- 1 December 1977
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology
- Vol. 91 (6) , 1326-1336
- https://doi.org/10.1037/h0077412
Abstract
Differences in avoidance learning of genetically selected strains of rats under d-amphetamine were analyzed by manipulating task complexity. With decreasing levels of task complexity the differences in avoidance learning between the selectively bred rat strains decreased significantly. Under the lower levels of complexity the strains reversed their relative positions in avoidance learning. The results are discussed in terms of inverted-U arousal function. The factors investigated indicate that the differences in avoidance behavior of these lines of rats may be understood as deriving from genetically related different levels of arousal.This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- Sensory responsiveness and avoidance learning in rats.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1976
- Selection for high rates and low rates of avoidance conditioning in the ratAnimal Behaviour, 1965