Abstract
Following a 2-h preshock observation period, each of two pairs of male gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) experienced footshocks every 20 sec for a 3-h period, which was followed by a 1-h postshock period. Bites, forepaw strikes, and poses were recorded for the 6-h session. In contrast to rats and other rodents, pain-shock produced biting and striking, which persisted throughout the interval between shocks and induced aggression of sufficient vigor to produce bleeding in all four Ss. Biting, striking, and posing also persisted throughout a 1-h postshock period, but at a decreasing rate relative to the shock period rate. The gerbil would thus appear to be a unique rodent—one whose vigorous fighting baseline should be useful in studying the interaction of aggression with escape-avoidance, anaggressive drugs, brain lesions, and other factors.
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This research was supported in part by NSF Grant GY-8992. Reprints may be obtained from Dr. John J. Dunstone, Dept. of Psychology, University of Scranton, Scranton, Pa. 18510.
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Dunstone, J.J., Cannont, J.T., Chickson, J.T. et al. Persistence and vigor of shock-induced aggression in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Psychon Sci 28, 272–274 (1972). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328736
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328736