Abstract
In an avoidance learning situation with rats, the usual fixed bar was replaced with a bar that was introduced at warning signal onset and retracted after a bar press. Acquisition of bar-press avoidance with the retracting bar was significantly faster than with a fixed bar; that is, retracting-bar Ss reached the criterion of 95% avoidance for two successive days, significantly faster and with fewer shocks than fixed-bar Ss.
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This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, GB 2964. The senior author was supported during the preparation of this manuscript by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: HD 000183-02.
This paper is based on a Masters thesis by the senior author. A portion of this research was presented at the 1967 Eastern Psychological Association meeting by the senior author.
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Christophersen, E.R., Denny, M.R. Retractable-bar avoidance. Psychon Sci 9, 579–580 (1967). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03327898
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03327898