Abstract
Seven experiments are reported on low-frequency whole-body vibration and rats’ escape conditioning in a modified Skinner box. In the first three studies, conditioning was observed but was independent of frequency. In Experiment 4 the number of escape responses was directly related to vibration amplitude. Experiment 5 was a control for vibration noise and noise termination; Experiments 6 and 7 studied vibration-induced activation. Noise termination did not produce conditioning. In Experiment 6 Ss made more responses when responding led to termination than when it did not. In Experiment 7 Ss preferred a bar which terminated vibration to one which did not.
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This research was supported by a NASA interdisciplinary grant to the University of Kansas, Kenneth Lenzen, principal investigator. We are indebted to Drs. Lenzen, Dean Fixsen, George Kellas, Don R. Justesen, Joseph C. Sharp, and George W. Swift for technical and material assistance and to Cindy VVike for doing the pilot study referred to in Experiment 6.
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Wike, E.L., Wike, S.S. Escape conditioning and low-frequency whole-body vibration: The effects of frequency, amplitude, and controls for noise and activation. Psychon Sci 27, 161–164 (1972). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328924
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328924