The effects of deprivation and repeated shifts on positive and negative contrast effects in the albino rat were investigated. Six groups, formed by a factorial combination of two deprivation levels (deprived or non-deprived) and three concentration conditions (4%, 32%, or alternating 32% and 4% every two days), were used. Fifty-seven subjects were given daily five-minute exposures to a 32% or 4% sucrose solution. Experimental alternation groups received a total of five upshifts to the 32% solution and five downshifts to the 4% solution. Control groups received only the 32% or 4% solution, respectively, throughout the 22 day test period. Negative contrast was repeatedly obtained, with both deprived and non-deprived alternating subjects lower than the 4% control subjects on dependent measures of lick rate and time spent at the drinking tube. Recovery was noted in deprived subjects on the second day of each downshift; non-deprived subjects displayed a negative contrast effect which endured across both days. Positive contrast was apparent, with deprived alternating subjects scoring above 32% control subjects in the first shift only. Non-deprived subjects did not exhibit positive contrast, but rather displayed means below that of the non-deprived control groups. The negative contrast results indicated that deprivation level yielded differences in contrast effects, due possibly to subjects in different deprivation conditions responding to different aspects of the same solution. Positive contrast results indicated that a 'ceiling effect' may limit the possibility of demonstrating positive contrast for deprived subjects. The results were discussed in terms of a perceptual/emotional model, which suggests that the mechanisms responsible for contrast change over time / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_23575 |
| Date | January 1986 |
| Contributors | Brazier, Mary Margaret (Author) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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