Abstract
Effects of postweaning contact with the mother or like-sexed age-mates were compared with isolation effects on the albino rat. Animals that had experienced some form of social contact weighed more, displayed more social-seeking behavior, and were less emotional than animals reared in isolation. Results were interpreted as showing that behavioral and physiological changes induced by prolonged maternal contact during postweaning life are attributable to the presence of another animal.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
DENENBERG, V. H., & GROTA, L. J. Social-seeking novelty-seeking behavior as a function of differential rearing histories. Journal of Abnormal & Social Psychology, 1964, 9, 453–456.
BOVARD, E. W., & NEWTON, D. G. Systematic early handling and prolonged experience with the mother as developmental variables in the male albino rat. In Laboratory animal care. Chicago: Animal Care Panel, Inc., 1955.
KRECH, D., ROSENZWEIG, M. R., & BENNETT, E. L. Environmental impoverishment, social isolation and changes in brain chemistry and anatomy. Physiology & Behavior, 1966, 1, 99–104.
LEVINE, S., ALPERT, M., & LEWIS, G. W. Differential maturation of an adrenal response to cold stress in rats manipulated in infancy. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1958, 51, 774–777.
WINER, B. J. Statistical principles in experimental design. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1962.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
A portion of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, 1968. This research was supported in part by funds from The Graduate School, North Dakota State University.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Singh, D., Maki, W.S. Effects of postweaning rearing conditions on emotionality and social-seeking behavior in the rat. Psychon Sci 13, 163–164 (1968). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342461
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342461