Effect of Escapable versus Inescapable Shock on Avoidance Behavior in the Goldfish (Carassius Auratus)

Abstract

Following exposure to either escapable, inescapable, or no shock, goldfish were tested on an avoidance task. Differences in latency consistent with the hypothesis that helplessness is learned were present only on the first block of five trials. While reliable differences in the number of trials to the first avoidance response supported an interpretation as learned helplessness, differences in the total number of avoidance responses did not.