The Effect of Power (US Intensity x US Duration) on Shuttlebox Avoidance Acquisition in Goldfish

Dominic Zerbolio, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Linda Wickstra

Abstract

A factorial arrangement of four shock intensity levels (7.5, 10, 15, or 20 V ac) by three shock durations (100, 200, or 400 msec), and NO US control was used to examine the effect of power (shock intensity x shock duration) on CAR shuttlebox acquisition in goldfish (Carassius auratus). On CAR performance, increasing power level at first increased then decreased avoidance acquisition indicating an inverted “U” function. On total activity, shuttle rates by NO US controls were high. Low levels of power produced a substantial decrease in total activity. Increasing power yielded first an increase then decrease in shuttle rates. Thus, an inverted “U” function between total activity and power, excluding the control level, is also evident. The initial effect of low power levels is to depress total activity.