Adaptation to the Drive Stimulus in Instrumental Escape Conditioning

Abstract

In order to ascertain whether training conditions are complicated by adaptation effects in a water-escape situation rats ( N = 96) were exposed for 10 or 100 sec. to 15° or 32° C prior to each escape trial from a 15° C tank. Compared to a non-exposed control condition over-all performance of the 15° C exposed groups was unaffected, but the performance of the 32° C exposed groups was significantly ( p < .0005) enhanced. Adaptation effects which would lower the effective drive intensity in the escape situation, then, were not present, but prior exposure to a warmer condition did serve to increase the effective drive level. The absence of adaptation effects is related to similar findings with electric shock.