Passive avoidance learning in rats, mice, gerbils, and hamsters

Abstract

The acquisition of a passive avoidance response to electric shock was studied in hooded and albino rats, albino mice, gerbils, and hamsters. Rats acquired this response more rapidly than any of the other species. There were no differences in rate of acquisition between the two strains of rats or among the other three species. These results indicate that species-specific defense reactions may interact with the particular behavioral task in which the organism is studied. © 1971, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.