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A Technique for the Study of Intraspecific Aggression in the Golden Hamster Under Conditions of Reduced Target Variability

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Abstract

A target preparation has been developed for use in the study of intraspecific aggression in the golden hamster. Target animals selected for nonaggressiveness are treated with the nonnarcotic analgesic methotrimeprazine and fitted with a muzzle and harness. When subsequently attacked by aggressive animals, the targets’ locomotion and drug-elevated pain thresholds do not show systematic shifts if attack sessions are no longer than 45 min. Such targets also do not emit ultrasound during sessions. The use of such relatively invariant targets facilitates the study of changes in aggressive subjects over time and/or as function of experimental manipulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Behavioral Physiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 722 W 168th, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Michael Potegal, Alan Blau, Michael Black & Murray Glusman

Authors
  1. Michael Potegal
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  2. Alan Blau
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  3. Michael Black
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  4. Murray Glusman
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Additional information

We would like to thank Dr. Owen Floody for his generous instruction in and use of his ultrasound apparatus at Bucknell University. The taxidermic preparation of hamsters was made possible through the kindness of Mr. Roland Hower of the Smithsonian Institution. Ms. Rebecca Armstrong helped in the preparation of Figure 1. This work was partially supported by N.I.M.H. Grant 1 R03 MH 28836-01 to M. Potegal.

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Potegal, M., Blau, A., Black, M. et al. A Technique for the Study of Intraspecific Aggression in the Golden Hamster Under Conditions of Reduced Target Variability. Psychol Rec 30, 191–200 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394669

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