Abstract
Three experiments evaluated the effects of a single electroconvulsive shock in alleviating the learned helplessness effect in rats. The experiments differed primarily in terms of the location of the ECS treatment in the experimental sequence of events. In Experiment 1, ECS was given following helplessness training and testing and was evaluated during a retesting phase; in Experiment 2, ECS was given either immediately after helplessness training or immediately before helplessness testing; and, in Experiment 3, ECS was given prior to helplessness training. In all three experiments, significant helplessness effects occurred for subjects not receiving ECS but were absent in subjects receiving ECS. The data were compared with expectations arising from both amnesia-inducing and biochemical-change interpretations of the effects of ECS.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Dorworth, T. R., &Overmier, J. B. On “learned helplessness”: The therapeutic effects of electroconvulsive shocks.Physiological Psychology, 1977,5, 355–358.
Essman, W. B. Neurochemical changes in ECS and ECT.Seminars in Psychiatry, 1972,4, 67–79.
Kolb, L. C. Noyes’ modern clinical psychiatry (7th ed.). Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders, 1968.
Lewis, D. J. Sources of experimental amnesia.Psychological Review, 1969,76, 461–472.
Lewis, D. J. Psychobiology of active and inactive memory.Psychological Bulletin, 1979,86, 1054–1083.
Maier, S. F., &Seligman, M. E. P. Learned helplessness: Theory and evidence.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1976,105, 3–46.
Nystrom, S. On the relation between clinical factors and efficacy of ECT in depression.Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 1964,40, 5–140.
Sargent, W., &Slater, E. An introduction tophysical methods of treatment in psychiatry. New York: Science House, 1972.
Seligman, M. E. P. Helplessness: On depression, development, and death. San Francisco: Freeman, 1975.
Seligman, M. E. P., &Beagley, G. Learned helplessness in the rat.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1975,88, 534–541.
Vogel, J. R., &Haubrick, D. R. Chronic administration of electroconvulsive shock effects on mouse-killing activity and brain monamines in rats.Physiology & Behavior, 1973,11, 725–728.
Weiss, J. M., Glazer, H. I., &Pohorecky, L. A. Coping behavior and neurochemical changes. In G. Servon & A. Kling (Eds.),Animal models in human psychobiology. New York: Plenum Press, 1976.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Experiments 1 and 2 were taken from the doctoral dissertation of C.W.B. under the direction of W.B.P. Experiment 3 was conducted by T.A.B. and W.B.P.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brett, C.W., Burling, T.A. & Pavlik, W.B. Electroconvulsive shock and learned helplessness in rats. Animal Learning & Behavior 9, 38–44 (1981). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03212023
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03212023