CONDITIONED SUPPRESSION OF AN AVOIDANCE RESPONSE¹

A signal followed by shock was presented at irregular intervals during a free-operant avoidance schedule. The effects of this procedure were studied in terms of the rate of unavoided shock in the presence and absence of the signal and the rate of response before and during the signal. Three shock intensities were employed. Response enhancement as well as response suppression were observed; irrespective of changes in responding, shock rates substantially increased during signalled periods compared to non-signalled periods. Shock rates in non-signalled periods were generally higher than during training.