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Effects of early handling on avoidance performance of Maudsley MR and MNR strains
Author(s) -
Powell Barbara J.,
NorthJones Margaret
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420070207
Subject(s) - emotionality , psychology , defecation , significant difference , avoidance behaviour , avoidance learning , developmental psychology , medicine , neuroscience
This study investigated the effect of infantile handling on the emotionality and avoidance performance of the Maudsley reactive (MR) and nonreactive (MNR) strains of rats. The expected difference in emotionality was found (MR's had higher defecation scores than MNR's); however, this difference was unaffected by early handling. The avoidance behavior of the 2 strains was different in that MR's had shorter escape latencies; however, they did not differ with respect to CAR's. Handling had a significant effect on avoidance behavior, but this was not greater in one strain than another. The interaction of genetic differences and infantile stimulation on avoidance performance does not appear to be supported in females from these 2 strains.