Antagonism of a learned taste aversion following repeated administrations of electroconvulsive shock

Abstract

Injection of methyl atropine immediately following ingestion of sweetened condensed milk induced a marked aversion to the taste of milk. In a second experiment, the learned taste aversion was attenuated when repeated administrations of electroconvulsive shock were given 4 days after taste-aversion training. This effect was only temporary, and the taste aversion reappeared within 21 days after termination of electroconvulsive shocks (Experiment III). Similar attenuation of other punishments by repeated administrations of electroconvulsive shock has been reported. In this respect, learned taste aversions appear to resemble other effects of punishment. © 1974, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.