The effect of electroconvulsive shock on an instrumental conditioned emotional response ("conflict").

Dissociation of conditioned emotional and avoidance responses due to ECS: A cautionary note

“…The group of animals given ECS as punishment again showed very little avoidance of ECS, although their emotionality was easily chained back by conditioning (even after a single ECS) to the cues of picking up the animal from his home cage for daily trials. Contrary to the subjective evidence of Williams (1961), while in the apparatus these subjects would often squeal and tremor. The apparatus was particularly bothersome to clean after a day's "run" with these animals.…”

“…In discussing this possibility we noted that Williams (1961) had pointed out an interesting paradox of electroconvulsive shock: "She noted that following ECS, the treated animals when in their home cages huddled in a ball in the rear corners of the cages or crouched on the food containers. They were hyperirritable when handled and squealed, leaped or froze when E attempted to lift them" !…”

Electroconvulsive shock and inhibition: Some problems considered.

“…This, clearly, is not the case either as the citations to the work of Brady and his colleagues point specifically to the use of increases in rate of bar press as measures of ECS effects. The study by Williams (1961) points to the effects of ECS in reducing hesitations in a running response. Many other kinds of response are included in our review.…”

Effects of electroconvulsive shock and grid shock on open field behavior.

“…Specifically, they assume that movement into a situation which has been punishing is indicative of RA, while lack of movement reflects fear; they cite results showing more IR in rats punished by foot shock alone as compared with rats receiving foot shock and ECS. On the other hand, Lewis and Maher (1965) argue from their observations and those of Williams (1961) that Ss given ECS appear relaxed and unemotional in the situation where ECS was administered, and therefore they conclude that fear is reduced in the testing situation.…”