Abstract
The agonistic behaviors of maleBetta splendens (Regan) were studied during both mutually viewing and mutually caged encounters in an investigation of differences between these types of encounters. With the pairings of animals held constant, the experience of prior mutual viewing which produced significant habituation did not significantly alter aggression in subsequent mutually caged encounters. Furthermore, animals which exhibited submissiveness (zero display rates) during mutually caged encounters significantly increased the intensity of aggression during subsequent mutual viewing, while the dominant caged mates decreased the rate of displays. These results were interpreted to mean that mutual viewing produces habituation while mutual caging produces conditioned suppression, and that generalizations from one situation to the other may therefore be unwarranted.
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Lobb, M.L., McCain, G. Procedurally related differences in the aggressive behavior ofBetta splendens (Regan). Animal Learning & Behavior 4, 367–373 (1976). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03214423
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03214423