Abstract
Rats that consistently killed mice stopped killing when attacks were punished by electric shock. Punishment suppressed rather than eliminated the behavior, for the rats eventually resumed killing after the termination of punishment. The suppressive effects of punishment on killing were quite enduring, however, for suppression was exhibited as long as 60 days after punishment.
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Supported by USPHS grant MH-10349 from the National Institute of Mental Health.
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Myer, J.S. Punishment of instinctive behavior: Suppression of mouse-killing by rats. Psychon Sci 4, 385–386 (1966). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342351
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342351