Shuttle avoidance: Rapid acquisition by rats to a pressurized air unconditioned stimulus

Abstract

Thirty-three adult rats were trained in a shuttlebox using a pressurized air US and a 65 decibel buzzer CS. All rats avoided the air blast, and 29 achieved the learning criterion (five avoidance responses in any six trials). Twenty-six of these required 20 or fewer trials to reach criterion. Learning was non-incremental: Ss shifted abruptly from escape responding to avoidance responding. Procedural advantages of air-blast shuttle-avoidance training are noted and applications suggested. © 1966, Psychonomic Press. All rights reserved.