Avoidance and approach learning motivated by stimulation of identical hypothalamic loci

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Abstract
Cats with stimulating electrodes implanted in the lateral hypothalamus were subjected to two types of experimental procedures. In the first procedure the cats were given an opportunity to learn to avoid hypothalamic stimulation which produces a typical ‘hypothalamic rage’ response. The second procedure allows the same cats to learn to approach an area where the hypothalamic stimulus is administered. In both procedures, electrical stimulation was delivered through identical electrodes, yet each animal learned the appropriate avoidance or approach response, depending upon the experimental conditions. Therefore, lateral hypothalamic stimulation may act as an energizing, drive-arousing, operation to produce both avoidance and approach learning in cats.

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