Approach-avoidance conflict behavior as a function of amount and spacing of prior electric shock

Abstract

In a factorial study, albino rats were subjected to either six 5-sec. or 30 1-sec. electric shocks for either one or five days and were subsequently tested in an approach-avoidance conflict situation with shock used as the aversive stimulus. The effectiveness of the punishment in the conflict situation did not vary as a function of the spacing or amount of prior electric shock. However, all prior-shock groups were more sensitive to subsequent electric shock than was a no-prior-shock control group.