Abstract
The Coolidge effect, the reliable resumption of copulation by a sexually satiated animal following introduction of a new stimulus partner, was studied in prairie voles, a generally monogamous species, in an attempt to assess whether prior familiarity with the second female affects the resumption of copulation. In Experiment 1, satiated males were paired with either the original female, a novel female, or a different, but familiar, female. There were no significant differences in resumption rates or the amount of copulatory activity. In Experiment 2, a more rigorous satiety criterion was imposed. Again, no significant differences were noted in resumption rates or the amount of copulatory activity across conditions. Prior familiarity with a female does not affect the resumption of copulatory activity by satiated male prairie voles.
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This research was supported by Grant BNS-8904974 from the National Science Foundation.
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Pierce, J.D., O’Brien, K.K. & Dewsbury, D.A. No effect of familiarity on the Coolidge effect in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Bull. Psychon. Soc. 30, 325–328 (1992). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330481
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330481