Abstract
Barpress behavior was assessed in experimentally naive undeprived rats during exposure to three companion conditions: trained companion, untrained companion, and no companion. Non-nutritive sucaryl solution was presented as barpress-contingent reinforcement. Though overall levels of barpressing were low, the responding during exposure to either trained or untrained companions was significantly lower compared to the no-companion condition. This observation of companion-induced inhibition with undeprived rats compliments previous work testing social facilitation at high and low levels of thirst drive (Levine & Zentall, 1974). The findings also support the theoretical predictions of Zajonc (1965) regarding companion effects.
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Zajonc, R. B. Social facilitation in cockroaches. In E. C. Simmel, R. A. Hoppe, & G. A. Milton (Eds.), Social facilitation and imitative behavior. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1968.
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This paper is sponsored by Hardy C. Wilcoxon, who takes full editorial responsibility for its content. Preparation of this manuscript was partially supported by NICHHD Grant No. 00973.
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Deni, R., Jorgensen, B.W. Social inhibition of barpressing in undeprived rats. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 7, 487–488 (1976). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337257
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337257