Abstract
While eight food-deprived rats pressed a lever for food during daily 1-h sessions, four CS-Shock2 trials were presented. Trials were preceded by either a Shock1 of .25, .50, .75 mA or no Shock1. It was found that the rate of appetitive responding during the CS was greater on Shock1-CS-Shock2 trials relative to CS-Shock2 trials. The data indicate that the phenomenon of postshock bursts in responding can occur in the absence of a signal for safety after shock. The results conform to the predictions of the opponent-process theory of motivation.
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LaBarbera, J.D., Caul, W.F. An opponent-process interpretation of postshock bursts in appetitive responding. Animal Learning & Behavior 4, 386–390 (1976). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03214426
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03214426