Self-punitive Running Research Articles

Self-punitive behavior: Strength of fear of startbox and third runway segment stimuli over punished-extinction trials

According to the learning theory interpretation of self-punitive behavior, conditioned fear is critical to the maintenance of self-punitive running. In this study, fear conditioned to startbox and third runway segment cues was measured before and after punished-extinction (PE) trials. After shock-escape training, 120 male rats were given 0, 5, 10, or 20 PE trials. Fear of segment cues then was measured in either the startbox or third runway segment using hurdle-jump performance as the index of fear. The results support the conditioned-fear explanation. As predicted, immediately following shock-escape training, no difference was found between the amount of fear elicited by startbox and third segment cues, but after five or more PE trials more fear was elicited by startbox cues than by third segment cues. Additional PE trials maintained, but did not increase, the level of conditioned fear of startbox cues.

Some effects of methylphenidate on self-punitive running in rats

Self-punitive behavior was demonstrated in prepunishment speeds during extinction following shock-escape training in a straight runway under no-dose, low-dose (1-mg/kg), and high-dose (10-mg/kg) methylphenidate conditions. Increased dosage enhanced punished running (shock in the last half of the runway) and nonpunished running. Self-punitive behavior, defined as the difference between punishment conditions with faster running or increased persistence under punishment conditions, was not significantly affected by the drug variable. The results were interpreted as compatible with conditioned fear interpretations of self-punitive behavior but nonsupportive of cognitive interpretations.

Some effects of a buzzer CS and a novel buzzer on self-punitive running in rats

Self-punitive behavior was demonstrated in prepunishment speeds during extinction following shock escape training in a straight runway under buzzer-CS and under no-CS conditions. The buzzer enhanced punished running (shock in the last half of the runway) and nonpunished running. The buzzer did not significantly enhance self-punitive behavior, defined as the difference between punishment conditions with faster running for punished rats than for nonpunished rats. Introduction of a novel buzzer at the beginning of extinction enhanced both punished and nonpunished running relative to no-CS conditions but had no effect on selfpunitive behavior. Discontinuance of the buzzer CS at the end of acquisition eliminated selfpunitive behavior during extinction. The results were interpreted as supporting explanations of self-punitive behavior in terms of fear conditioning and conflict resolution.

The role of reinforcement contingencies in the maintenance of vicious circle behavior

Following 20 shock-escape training trials, two experimental groups of rats were reinforced either for running quickly (DRH animals could preclude shock in the center section of the runway by decreasing their starting latencies) or for running slowly (DRL animals could preclude shock in the center section of the runway by increasing their starting latencies). Results showed that the DRH animals ran consistently faster than the DRL animals, although no differences between DRH animals and traditionally punished extinction subjects were obtained. The results were discussed in terms of the existing explanations of vicious circle behavior, as well as in terms of the differential effects of manipulating the reinforcement contingencies on the maintenance of self-punitive running.

Some effects of type of auditory CS on self-punitive running in rats

Self-punitive behavior was demonstrated in prepunishment speeds during extinction following shock escape training in a straight runway under buzzer-CS and tone-CS conditions. Relative to the tone, the buzzer enhanced punished running (shock in the last half of the runway) and nonpunished running. These results extend the findings of Myers (1962), who reported better avoidance conditioning with a buzzer than with a tone. Self-punitive behavior, defined as the difference between punishment conditions with faster running under punishment conditions, was not significantly enhanced by the buzzer. These results do not support the suggestion (Delude, 1973) that self-punitive behavior may be uniquely affected by the use of a buzzer CS.

Fear-motivated vicious-circle behavior maintained through secondary punishment

Two experiments attempted to establish vicious-circle behavior through fear motivation combined with secondary punishment. In Experiment 1, rats were trained with two CSs, a tone and a buzzer, paired with shock in different contexts. Secondary punishment based on delay and trace conditioning procedures facilitated running in fear-motivated rats, relative to four control groups. In Experiment 2, rats were given pairings of a tone CS with shock, and a buzzer CS with a drop into a water tank. Fear-motivated rats which received secondary punishment during either 33% or 100% of test trials exhibited self-punitive running relative to a nonpunished (0%) group and a backward-conditioning control group. Results indicate that “all secondary” vicious-circle behavior can be established through Pavlovian conditioning, thus supporting a conditioned fear interpretation.

Elimination of self-punitive behavior with a novel stimulus and safety signal.

After escape training in an alley, rats received either nonpunished (NP) or punished (P) extinction, During extinction, NP and P groups received (a) a novel tone in the startbox, (b) a tone in the start- and goalboxes (the tone had been presented in the goalbox to these subgroups during acquisition—safety signal condition), or (c) no tone. Punishment produced greater resistance to extinction than nonpunishment (self-punitive effect) only under no-tone conditions. The elimination of self-punitive behavior with novel tone and safety signal treatment is consistent with the hypothesis that self-punitive running is motivated by excessive fear.

Self-punitive running in the rat following start box fear conditioning: shock intensity effects.

Self-punitive running in the rat following start box fear conditioning: shock intensity effects.

Type of start box and goal box distinctiveness in self-punitive running of rats.

Type of start box and goal box distinctiveness in self-punitive running of rats.

Effects of a punitive noise on self-punitive running established with shock

Three groups of rats were trained to escape electric shock by traversing a straight alley. Two groups punished in the alley showed more resistance to extinction than did a nonpunished group. An additional punishment, noxious noise, summated with shock punishment to produce and maintain faster self-punitive running.

Avoidable punishment and self-punitive behavior

In an effort to increase the proportion of Ss displaying self-punitive running, punishment in the last 2 ft of the runway was made avoidable during extinction if the rat reached the goal box in less than 2 sec. Other Ss were punished on every trial or not punished during extinction following avoidance training. Punished animals exhibited persistent running. Eleven of the 20 punishment-avoidance Ss completed the maximum 100 extinction trials. For these nonextinguishing Ss learning of punishment avoidance was similar to ordinary avoidance learning, whereas extinguishers were markedly inferior in avoidance performance.

Punishment intensity and self-punitive behavior

Resistance to extinction of avoidance running was enhanced by punishment. More self-punitive running was observed when the punishment voltage was the same as the training voltage. Running speed was correlated with punishment intensity.

Learning self-punitive running

Rats were either punished or not punished near the goal box on the day following runway escape training. Running speed increased for punished animals and decreased for non-punished controls. It is suggested that self-punitive running is learned during extinction-with-punishment.