Abstract
The acquisition of a passive avoidance response to electric shock was studied in hooded and albino rats, albino mice, gerbils, and hamsters. Rats acquired this response more rapidly than any of the other species. There were no differences in rate of acquisition between the two strains of rats or among the other three species. These results indicate that species-specific defense reactions may interact with the particular behavioral task in which the organism is studied.
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This research was supported in part by grants to Gary C. Walters from the National Research Council of Canada (APA-161) and the Ontario Mental Health Foundation (OMHF 107).
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Walters, G.C., Abel, E.L. Passive avoidance learning in rats, mice, gerbils, and hamsters. Psychon Sci 22, 269–270 (1971). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335949
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335949