Date of Award
4-1973
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Roger E. Ulrich
Second Advisor
Dr. Doug Anger
Third Advisor
Dr. Frank Fatzinger
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
In Experiment I, the effects of low fixed ratios on individual escape behavior of rats was studied. When FR sessions were compared to CRF sessions, measures related to shock delivery showed highest percentage increases, especially at FR-5.
Animals were then paired. Two schedules were analyzed as alternatives to individual escape. In Experiment II, shock was terminated when a specified FR was completed, either by the responses of one animal or by the total responses of both animals. Escape as a function of both animals responding was not maintained. In Experiment III, shock was terminated individually as before, or when both animals emitted a single response. Under these conditions, "cooperative" escape was maintained.
When animals were allowed access to one another as well as to their respective response levers, little fighting occurred regardless of the schedule programmed. When escape contingencies were removed, a high rate of fighting occurred with one pair.
Recommended Citation
Colasacco, Anton P., "Schedule Effects on Individual and Paired Escape Behavior of Albino Rats" (1973). Masters Theses. 2643.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/2643