Abstract
The majority of preference-for-signaled-shock experiments have been done using scrambled footshock. In the present study each of the 24 rats used as subjects was observed to modify the current density distribution or totally avoid scrambled footshock by making a postural adjustment during a signal preceding the shock. This suggests that footshock is inappropriate for investigating the preference-for-signaled-shock phenomenon due to the possibility of changes in the affective value of the shock through postural modification.
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This research was supported by National Science Foundation Grant BMS75-C3383 and a grant from the City University of New York Faculty Research Award Program. R. R. M. is supported by National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award MH-00061. The authors gratefully acknowledge John Sullivan, Michael Vigorito, and Silburn Thomas for their help in the data collection, and Joan Wessely for her assistance in preparing the manuscript.
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Marlin, N.A., Berk, A.M. & Miller, R.R. Modification and avoidance of unmodifiable and unavoidable footshock. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 11, 203–205 (1978). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336809
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336809