Abstract
By means of stroboscopic photography, barpress escape learning by rats was studied using two different schedules of negative reinforcement: fixed ratio 1 and variable ratio 2.5. The results showed two different topographies of barpressing: with FR-1, the rat hit the bar with the foreleg in an intentional movement; however, when the schedule was changed, the response of the rat changed to a series of jumps on the bar. These results bear on the relation between the theory of species-specific defense reactions and escape behavior.
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Rial, R.V., Saura, A., Todó, M.P. et al. Barpress escape responses in the rat: A topographic analysis. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 25, 117–120 (1987). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330301
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330301