Approach-Avoidance Conflict: II. Role of Olfactory Cues

Abstract

24 naive hooded rats were employed in a 2 × 2 factorial comparison of anosmic versus non-anosmic and obstruction versus non-obstruction conditions. Comparisons were made in terms of speed-of-locomotion toward a goal area. After all Ss had received a series of successive reinforced approach-training trials, several untrained rats were placed in the goal box and subjected to foot shock. 9 min. later the shocked rats were removed, and previously designated groups of trained rats were given additional approach trials. A non-shocked group of untrained rats was placed in the maze and removed after 9 min. as the non-obstruction condition. Thus anosmic and sham-operated rats were compared before and after untrained rats occupied the goal box. Analysis of speed-of-locomotion scores showed the non-anosmic group had a significant reduction in speed-of-approach following occupancy by the shocked untrained rats. None of the other three groups showed a similar change in the previously established speed-of-approach. From these and other data, it appears unshocked rats respond differendy to olfactory cues generated by the previous occupancy of shocked and non-shocked rats.