Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


BGSU_Dissertations_0206_Mankins.pdf (3.01 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Temporal Effects, Signality and Lever-Press Escape Training

Mankins, Sandra Lee
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566297702057685

Abstract Details

1973, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Psychology.
Two experiments using white rats were designed to investigate the property of signality in fixed interstimulus intervals (ISIs) during lever-press escape training. This was accomplished by examining the effects of fixed versus variable ISIs and three ISI lengths in Experiment I and by examining signalled versus unsignalled fixed and variable ISI escape conditions in Experiment II. Experiment I employed a 2 x 3 x 5 factorial design with 60 subjects randomly assigned to six equal groups. Animals received escapable shock either once (fixed ISI conditions) or on the average of (variable conditions) every 30, 60, or 120 sec. All animals received 150 trials each day for five days. Percentage of barholding and rate of responding were the two dependent variables. Presence of a temporal discrimination and effects of ISI length were assessed by total amount of responding during the session as well as amount of responding during Post and Pre shock intervals. No evidence for a temporal discrimination was obtained. An effect due to ISI length was obtained. As ISI length increased, amount of barholding and barpressing decreased. Experiment II employed a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial design with 40 subjects randomly assigned to four equal groups. The four groups consisted of animals receiving either signalled or unsignalled escapable shock at either a fixed or variable 60-sec. ISI. A 10-sec. noise-light signal preceded shock under signalled conditions. Animals received 150 trials each day for five days. Barholding (min.) and number of responses emitted were the two dependent variables. Presence of a temporal discrimination and effects of a signal were assessed by total responding during the session as well as amount of responding during a 10-sec. Post and Pre shock interval. There was no evidence for a temporal discrimination. The presence of a signal effected escape behavior. This was shown by: (1) less total barpressing in groups that received a signal; (2) less barpressing during the Post period for groups that received a signal; and (3) less barholding in the Pre period for groups that received a signal. Results were discussed primarily from a safety-signal hypothesis point of view.
Donald M. Ragusa (Advisor)
Psychology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mankins, S. L. (1973). Temporal Effects, Signality and Lever-Press Escape Training [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566297702057685

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mankins, Sandra. Temporal Effects, Signality and Lever-Press Escape Training. 1973. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566297702057685.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mankins, Sandra. "Temporal Effects, Signality and Lever-Press Escape Training." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 1973. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566297702057685

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1566297702057685
79
This document is provided by Bowling Green State University for research and educational purposes, and may be under copyright by the author or the author's heirs. Please contact the ETD Center administrator at Bowling Green State University etd@bgsu.edu with any questions or comments. In your email, be sure to include the URL and title of the specific items you are inquiring about.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.