Abstract

LOPEZ SEAL, Florencia; PELLEGRINI, Santiago  and  MUSTACA, Alba E.. Choice responses during consummatory successive negative contrast in rats. Av. Psicol. Latinoam. [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.2, pp.219-225. ISSN 1794-4724.

In rats, a change from a preferred solution (e.g. 32% sucrose) to a less preferred (e.g. 4%) produces an abrupt decrement in consumption below the levels of an unshifted group that always had access to the less preferred solution. This phenomenon -known as consummatory successive negative contrast effect-occurs with simultaneous changes in ambient or gustative cues and with multiple response options, with the reinforcer located in several different places. In the present experiment a group of rats was trained during the pre-shift phase with an almond flavored preferred solution (i.e. 32%A) and another group with a less preferred flavored solution (i.e. 4%A). Post-shift phase took place in a newly different context where all animals could choose between 4% and 4%A. Results showed a negative contrast effect in the downshifted animals and a preference for the familiar flavored solution in both groups.

Keywords : context; negative contrast; choice; flavor; rats.

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