Preference for predictable vs. controllable shock

Abstract

Preference for predictable vs. controllable shock was assessed through use of a symmetrical changeover procedure. Rats chose between a predictable/uncontrollable situation (CER) and an unpredictable/controllable situation (VI punishment). Consistent preference for the CER situation was found, with animals spending most of their time in that component. It was suggested that control over aversive contingencies, in the absence of predictable feedback regarding safety, is less preferable to a situation in which periods of shock and safety are well-defined.

Effects of unpredictability versus loss of predictability of shock on gastric lesions in rats

“…Despite the difficulty in making clear-cut interpretations regarding the etiological mechanisms (Badia, Harsh, & Abbot, 1979;Davis & Levine, 1982;Imada & Nageishi, 1982;Scheuer & Greenberg, 1982;Tsuda, Tanaka, Hirai, & Pare, 1983), it is reasonable to suggest, on the basis of the safety-signal hypothesis (Seligman & Binik, 1977), that both unpredictability and loss of predictability of shock have many deleterious consequences on the ulcerogenesis process because animals that have no safety signal (Le., no tone that indicates time out from shock) are the most stressed and consequently will continue to be subjected chronically to fear.…”

Comparative assessment of psychomotor performance: Target prediction by humans and macaques (Macaca mulatta).

“…This fact notwithstanding, laboratory research on the capacity of a variety of nonhuman animals to predict has produced mixed results. Whereas a number of studies have supported the capacity of nonhuman species to predict (e.g., Lanchester & Mark, 1975; McVean & Davieson, 1989; Scheuer & Greenberg, 1982; see also Neiworth & Rilling, 1987), other studies (Brooks, Reed, & Eastman, 1978; Fuchs, 1967; Jaeger, 1980) have made the case that rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta ) lack such a capacity and, thus, that their responses in tracking and similar perceptual-motor tasks differ qualitatively from those of humans.…”

Effects of coping behavior on gastric lesions in rats as a function of predictability of shock

“…These results are dissimilar to Weiss's earlier research (1971a) which indicated that shock con-trol was superior to a helpless condition in reducing ulcer incidence irrespective of whether shock was preceded by a signal or not. Scheuer and Greenberg (1982) have recently reported that predictability of shock is preferable to controllability of shock when preference for predictable vs. controllable shock is assessed through use of a symmetrical changeover procedure in rats. Our data demonstrating that although being able to cope with shock reduced the development of gastric ulcer for experimental rats when the shock was predictable, ulceration was exacerbated when the shock was unpredictable, correspond with Scheuer and Greenberg's findings that reported controllability of shock, in the absence of predictable feedback regarding safety, was less preferable to a situation in which periods of shock and safety were well-defined.…”

“…The basic findings from this study suggest that neither controllability nor predictability of shock might be the necessary condition to inhibit gastric pathology. A very recent publication (Scheuer & Greenberg, 1982) suggests that if control over aversive contingencies is important to an organism, it is so only when a high degree of predictability is present as well.…”