Approach-avoidance conflict behavior as a function of prior experience with mild or intense electric shock stimulation

Abstract

Albino rats were subjected to a series of either intense (.80 ma) or mild (.25 ma) electric shock and were later tested in a conflict situation with the same level of shock serving as the aversive stimulus. Two no-prior-shock control groups were also tested in the conflict situation under either mild or intense shock. Both prior shock groups were more sensitive to subsequent shock than were their respective no-shock control groups.