BITING ATTACK BY RATS IN RESPONSE TO AVERSIVE SHOCK¹

Abstract

Paired rats are known to behave aggressively when given painful electric shocks. The present study developed a procedure whereby individual rats given shocks might bite an inanimate target object. Unavoidable shock was delivered to the rat while it was restrained in a position close to, and facing a target object. Biting of the target was recorded automatically. Shock caused the rat to bite metal, wood, or rubber targets. Biting was most frequent immediately after shock and decreased as a direct function of time since the shock. Almost every shock produced biting and the behavior continued as long as the shocks were delivered. Biting ceased within and between sessions when shocks were discontinued. These results show how the painaggression relation can be studied objectively with rats.

Delay of punishment in shock-elicited aggression

“…While the biting occurred to the stimulus presentations without any prior conditioning, it was, however, a result of only 40% of the total prepunishment shocks presented (Le., NC 30 shocks in Sessions 3 and 4). This level of biting was similar to that previously found on a metal target (Azrin et al, 1968). Observation of the series of movements involved in the biting attacks indicated that the shock-bite relation was not always a discrete one-to-one relationship.…”

“…As in the similar Azrin et al (1968) demonstration of the pain-aggression relationship, an abrupt increase of biting on the target followed the introduction of aversive stimulation. The mean frequency of biting for alJ Ss during the first two no-shock sessions was 14, while the corresponding figure for the NC 30 Shock Sessions 3 and 4 was 128 (not shown).…”

“…The biting apparatus followed the design of Azrin et al (1968) and consisted of three components: a biting target, a Plexiglas restraining tube, and a tail-restraining rod. Briefly, the biter consisted of two l-in.-wide IjI6-in.-thick sheets of stainless steel se para ted by a 3j64-in.…”

The effect of food deprivation on shock elicited aggression in rats

“…All Ss were approximately 90 days old at the initiation of the experiment. APPARATUS A rat-restraining apparatus with target switch was designed similar to that described by AZrin, Rubin, & Hutchison (1968). The restraining chamber consisted of a 22 x 6 x 6 em opaque tube that would not permit the rat to twist or turn when in position.…”

Sleepy and hostile: The effects of REM sleep deprivation on shock-elicited aggression

“…Unfortunately, Ulrieh and Azrin (1962) found that a lone rat typically does not aggress toward an inanimate object in response to footshock. Desiring to develop a technique whereby automatie recordings could be obtained for aggressive responses, Azrin et al (1968) described a method by whieh individual rats could be made to bite an inanimate target object. In this procedure, restrained rats received unavoidable tailshocks of 5 mA intensity with a 200-msec duration every 10 sec for 20 min.…”