Sidman Avoidance Performance under Punishment and Non-Contingent Shock Conditions

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Abstract
In order to compare the effects of 2 methods of extra-schedule shock delivery on avoidance behavior, 4 Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to stable performance on a Sidman avoidance schedule (RS = 15, Ss = 5). When avoidance behavior was punished on a fixed ratio schedule, response rates decreased and all animals avoided fewer shocks. After re-establishing the avoidance baselines, the mean number of previously obtained punishment shocks were presented in a non-contingent manner. Under this condition, avoidance response rates were uniformly accelerated and all animals received fewer unavoided shocks. A quantitative index of avoidance efficiency revealed that all Ss' behavior was least efficient in avoiding shock during the fixed ratio punishment condition and was most efficient during the delivery of non-contingent shock.

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