Licking Behavior Of Rats Research Articles

Acquisition, extinction, and spontaneous recovery of conditioned suppression of licking

A conditioning procedure yielding a trial-by-trial measure of the suppression of ongoing licking behavior in rats is described. In one group (N = 9), forward pairings of CS with shock produced rapid acquisition, slow extinction, and nearly complete spontaneous recovery following a 30-day “rest” period. In a second group (N = 8), initial backward pairings (shock-CS) produced supernormal suppression ratios. During CS-alone trials, supernormal performance was shown by both the backward group and a third group (N = 8), which received initial free-shock trials.

Conditioned suppression of licking as a function of shock intensity

An alternative to the operant-response-based CER procedure is described in which suppression of licking behavior in rats provided a measure of the CER. The results indicated that acquisition and resistance to extinction of conditioned suppression of licking varied directly with the intensity of shock used during training. These findings were discussed in relation to similar results reported for conditioned suppression of operant behavior.

Licking behavior of rats in relation to saccharin concentration and shifts in fixed-ratio reinforcement.

Licking behavior of rats in relation to saccharin concentration and shifts in fixed-ratio reinforcement.

Licking behavior of rats on a schedule of food reinforcement.

Rats were trained on a variable-interval food reinforcement schedule. Lever presses and licks at the milk reinforcement were recorded independently. A dose of d-amphetamine which increased lever-pressing rates failed to affect licking rates. Licking rates increased as the duration between reinforcements on the variable-interval schedule increased.

Gustatory nerve impulses in rat, cat and rabbit.

Gustatory nerve impulses in rat, cat and rabbit.