Active avoidance learning in hamsters

Abstract

Hamsters were found to be very inefficient in acquiring a one-way locomotor avoidance response compared to albino rats, whereas an earlier report showed them to be much more proficient than rats in learning a lever-press avoidance response. Even fewer avoidances were made by hamsters when a visual rather than auditory CS was used. The deficiency in comparison to rats could not involve a general learning deficit since the hamsters showed much improvement in escape latencies. The results emphasize the importance of the required avoidance behavior in determining the relative learning proficiencies of different species. © 1967, Psychonomic Press. All rights reserved.