NONDISCRIMINATED AVOIDANCE OF SHOCK BY PIGEONS PECKING A KEY 1

Abstract

Four pigeons were trained to avoid shock by pecking a key on a free‐operant avoidance schedule in which no exteroceptive stimulus signalled impending shock. Response rate was an inverse function of response‐shock interval when shock‐shock interval was held constant at 2 sec and response‐shock intervals varied from 5 to 40 sec. Amphetamine increased response rates in two subjects and reserpine markedly reduced responding in one.