Reinforcement-linked or incentive-motivational changes in general activity were studied by classically conditioning thirsty rats with CS+ (US: water) and CS -(US: electric shock), and, in another situation, measuring their activity in the presence and absence of CSs. In Experiment 1, rats were conditioned while held inactive in restrainers; in Experiment 2, the incidence of perambulation, grooming, and sitting was measured; in Experiment 3, drive level was varied. As compared to control conditions, CS+ increased exploratory perambulation and CS-increased motionless sitting. Reduction in drive -decreased perambulation and increased grooming. Incentive-motivational stimuli may induce positive and negative central states which, together with situational cues, determine the form of activity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.