Handling and noxious stimulation of the albino rat: I. Effects on subsequent emotionality.

Abstract

Emotional responsiveness was studied in rats which had been exposed to handling or intense auditory stimulation (or neither), either before or after weaning. Responsiveness was greatest in untreated controls, and greater in post-weaning than preweaning experimental groups. However, handling and auditory trauma per se had an effect no greater than the stimulation incidental to being moved to the experimental room as if in preparation for experimental treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)