Defensive behavior and passive avoidance learning in rats and gerbils

Abstract

Rats and gerbils were found to differ in defensive behavior in three situations. In Experiment 1, rats tended to crouch motionless in an open-field environment. Gerbils were more active and made more contact with objects. Experiment 2 compared the effect of noncontingent shock on the probability of five behaviors in the two species. Shock increased freezing in rats but had a less pronounced effect on freezing in gerbils. Experiment 3 showed superior passive avoidance performance in rats. The importance of testing the generality of theories of defensive behavior and avoidance learning through comparative research is discussed. © 1981, The psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.