Abstract
Mature albino rats were given extensive experience in approaching and feeding from a food cup upon its attachment to the home cage. In subsequent test trials, following 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours of fasting, the ongoing feeding response was interrupted by a loud sharp auditory signal of brief duration. Time taken to resume eating was automatically recorded. Mean log suspended eating time was found to relate negatively and reliably to hours of food-deprivation over the range of values examined. The results were interpreted as supporting the classic assumption that the vigor of approach behavior is positively related to drive strength.
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This research was supported in part by the University Research Committee of the University of Alabama.
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Siegel, P.S., Correia, M.J. Speed of resumption of eating following distraction in relation to number of hours food-deprivation. Psychol Rec 13, 39–44 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393499
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393499