Summary
A series of experiments was designed to compare the conditioned behavior of a subspecies of deermouse (Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis) in two response situations: 1. avoidance of shock by climbing a pole, and 2. avoidance of shock by remaining on a non-electrified pan located at grid level. This subspecies is semi-arboreal in its natural habitat. As was expected, an experimentally-induced response analogous to those to which the animal is phenotypically predisposed is rapidly acquired and resistant to spontaneous extinction. Thus, the pole response was acquired more rapidly, was more resistant to extinction, and was less susceptible to suppression by drugs. The stability of such behavior makes mice exhibiting this type of response advantageous for testing the effects of psychotropic drugs. The fact that chlorpromazine may be differentiated from pentobarbital by means of these technics supports this conclusion.
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Supported by a research grant from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness (B-381), National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service.
Portion of a thesis presented by Harold H. Wolf in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Utah.
Predoctoral Fellow 1960–61, National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Public Health Service.
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Wolf, H.H., Swinyabd, E.A. & Clark, L.D. The differential effects of chlorpromazine and pentobarbital on two forms of conditioned avoidance behavior in peromyscus maniculatus gracilis. Psychopharmacologia 3, 438–448 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00411161
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00411161