Differences in Extinction of an Appetitive Instrumental Response in Female Inbred Roman High- (RHA-I) and Low- (RLA-I) Avoidance Rats

Authors

  • M.J. Gómez University of Jaén (Spain)
  • L. de la Torre University of Jaén (Spain)
  • J.E. Callejas-Aguilera University of Jaén (Spain)
  • J.M. Rosas University of Jaén (Spain)
  • M.D. Escarabajal University of Jaén (Spain)
  • A. Agüero University of Jaén (Spain)
  • A. Tobeña Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain)
  • A. Fernández-Teruel Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain)
  • C. Torres University of Jaén (Spain)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted with the goal of exploring strain differences between female inbred Roman High and Low Avoidance rats (RHA-I, and RLA-I, respectively) on acquisition and extinction of a food-rewarded running response in a straight alley. Acquisition proceeded faster in the less emotional RHA-I and Wistar rats (used as controls) than in the more emotional RLA-I rats. However, extinction proceeded slower in RHA-I rats than in RLA-I and Wistar rats. This strain-based asymmetry on instrumental performance between acquisition and extinction is discussed in terms of strain differences in locomotor activity, associative flexibility and emotional reactivity.

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Published

2009-09-18

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 2 (2009)

Section

Experimental Psychology Section

License

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