Abstract
The present research was designed to examine the effects upon mouse killing of different types of damage in and around the septal area. The three types of septal damage incurred were: damage restricted to the septum (SS), damage ventral to the septum (VS), and damage to both the septum and ventrally located structures (LS). Irritability and activity (both horizontal and vertical) were also assessed. The results showed that damage restricted to the septum had no effect on muricide. Extensive damage to the septal region was necessary to increase the probability of mouse killing. All brain-damaged groups were significantly more irritable than the operated controls, with Group VS being the most irritable. Furthermore, killers were found to be significantly more irritable than nonkillers. Group LS animals were the least active of any group on both horizontal and vertical activity assessments. All braindamaged groups were significantly less active than controls in regard to rearing.
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This research was performed by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the MS degree in Psychology at Mississippi State University. The research was in part supported by an institutional grant awarded to MSU by NSF.
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Wallace, T., Thorne, B.M. The effect of lesions in the septal region on muricide, irritability, and activity in the Long-Evans rat. Psychobiology 6, 36–42 (1978). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03326688
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03326688