Effect of diazepam on successive negative contrast in one-way avoidance learning. |
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Authors: | A Morales M C Torres J L Megias A Candido A Maldonado |
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Institution: | Departamento de Psicología Experimental y Fisiología del Comportamiento, Universidad de Granada, Espa?a. |
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Abstract: | The effect of administration of diazepam on successive negative contrast in one-way avoidance learning was examined in rats. Contrast was induced by shifting rats from a large reward, 30 s spent in the safe compartment, to a small reward, 1 s spent in the safe compartment. IP administration of 2 mg/kg diazepam eliminated this negative contrast. Moreover, this effect is dose dependent, with doses of 2 and 2.5 mg/kg, but not 0.5 mg/kg, effective in reliably reducing contrast. These results suggest the existence of similar or common underlying mechanisms in both aversive and appetitive contrast effects; they are discussed in light of the current theories of frustrative nonreward and as a mean of studying the behavioral and biological mechanisms of anxiety. |
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