Increase in volitional ethanol consumption following interference with a learned avoidance response

T. J. Cicero, R. D. Myers, W. C. Black

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

In a self-selection situation, rats performing a discriminated shock avoidance task increased their intake of ethanol significantly when unavoidable random shock signalled by a warning light was simultaneously delivered. During the control shock avoidance period or when non-cued unavoidable shock was delivered, the animals exhibited their normal aversion to ethanol. As a result of these findings, a differentiation was made between two kinds of stressors: the behavioral stress of cued random unavoidable shock (punishment) and/or the physical stress of non-cued unavoidable shock. For the first time a relationship has been established in animals between a so-called psychological stressor and the volitional selection of ethanol.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)657-660
Number of pages4
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume3
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1968
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alcohol consumption and stress
  • Avoidance performance under ethanol
  • Drinking of ethanol by rats
  • Ethanol preference
  • Stress and ethanol consumption

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Increase in volitional ethanol consumption following interference with a learned avoidance response'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this