Facilitation of Discriminated Avoidance Learning by Prior Operant Training

Abstract

Prior operant training facilitated discriminated lever-press avoidance performance when discontinuous shock (0.2 sec. on time, 2.0 sec. off time) was delivered to rats. Avoidance rather than escape responding occurred in all of the animals whether massed training (3 sessions per day) or spaced training (1 session per day) was given. In control rats, which received no prior operant experience, avoidance learning was markedly inferior to that of the trained animals.