Avoidance decrement in avoidance conditioning.

Abstract

Performance during extended training in avoidance conditioning with a wheel manipulandum was studied in 4 experiments using Sprague-Dawley rats. Previous reports of marked performance decrement in later sessions were amply verified. Punishment for non-avoidance decreased avoidance responding. Conditioning was better at shorter intertrial intervals. Females were superior to males and in fact females showed no avoidance decrement at the shortest (1-min.) intertrial interval. Positive transfer was found in going from short to long intertrial interval, and negative transfer was found for the reverse direction. Rest produced a partial and temporary recovery of avoidance responding. A nonshock warm-up effect was obtained. Observational data emphasized the anomalous nature of the avoidance-decrement phenomenon.