ALBINISM AND AVOIDANCE LEARNING IN MICE

Albino and normally pigmented mice from the F2 generation of a cross between 2 inbred strains were tested in an avoidance learning device that permitted either passive or active avoidance reponses. Albinos were strongly inclined to avoid passively, while pigmented Ss were evenly distributed between the 2 response modes. When passive and active avoidance responses were combined to provide an overall measure of avoidance, there were no differences between the groups. 2 subsequent test sessions, in which only passive or only active avoidance was permitted, revealed no differences between the groups in passive avoidance, although albino Ss [subjects] were distinctly inferior in active avoidance.