Abstract
The influence of preexposure to the CS on classically conditioned heart rate was examined in three groups of rats receiving either 0, 10, or 50 CS-alone trials prior to the beginning of acquisition training. The conditioned response was a deceleration in heart rate for all groups. Compared to the 50 group, the 0 and 10 groups both showed a lower overall level of conditioning performance and a slower rate of development of the conditioned response. It was suggested that the presence of the nonhabituated orienting response may have interfered with the conditioning process.
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This research was supported by National Science Foundation Grant BMS74-18542, by an Oregon Heart Association Grant, in part by a U. S. Public Health Service Grant, 5 S01 RR05412, and National Institute of General Medical Science Grant 5 T01 GM01495.
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Fitzgerald, R.D., Hoffman, J. Classically conditioned heart rate in rats following preconditioning exposure to the CS. Animal Learning & Behavior 4, 58–60 (1976). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03211987
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03211987