EFFECTS OF FOOD DEPRIVATION ON RESPONSE SUPPRESSION

2 experiments analyzed the role of food deprivation on the response-suppression component of the conditioned emotional response (CER) as distinct from effects on the operant response per se. In Exp. I with 25 female Holtzman rats, lever pressing was superimposed upon preoperant CER conditioning. Food deprivation was varied only during CER conditioning. Increased deprivation during CER conditioning increased resistance to extinction of response suppression. In Exp. II, with 40 female Holtzman rats, the CER was superimposed upon the response of running in a wheel. Food deprivation was varied only during learning. Increased deprivation facilitated both suppression learning and later performance under satiation conditions. The results were attributed to the general arousal effects of food deprivation on a highly arousing and maladaptive behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.