The relative aversiveness of warning signal and shock in an avoidance situation.

Abstract

"An avoidance situation was arranged in which the animals could either (a) postpone the shock and prolong the warning signal or (b) take the shock and terminate the warning signal." A low rate of avoidance responding was observed in the presence of the warning signal and a high rate in its absence. "The animals behaved in such a way as to terminate the stimulus as quickly as possible, even though a shock accompanied each stimulus termination. When the signal duration was made independent of the animal''s behavior, the rate of avoidance responding in the stimulus increased." Avoidance contingencies in the presence and absence of the warning stimulus are suggested as important determiners of the relative aversiveness of stimulus and shock, 18 references.