Robert E. Prytula

Runway performance as a function of positively and negatively correlated olfactory cues.

Double-alternation runway performance of rats is shown to be influenced by 2 sources of odor, donor-odorant Ss and previous Ss that have traversed the runway. Performance in initial segments of the apparatus depended upon odors produced by start-box confined donor Ss, while performance in the terminal segment was predominantly influenced by odors produced by previous running Ss (ns = 14).

The relationship between locus of odor cues and double-alternation responding in the rat

In two experiments, rats traversed a runway in the presence of odor cues from odor-donor rats (stimulus odor). These odors were established in the start and run sections of a runway. As in previous work, these odors were shown to be influential determinants of behavior There is an indication that odors of reward and nonreward may be different for different rats, and that these different odors can be used to form complex discriminations.

Motivational specificity of the signal value of odor cues

The performance of the laboratory rat in the enclosed maze apparatus is profoundly influenced by subject-generated cues that seem to be olfactory. The present experiment investigated the specificity of these cues. Odor cues produced by odor-donor rats placed in the startbox were ineffective determinants of the behavior of runway-trained rats when the deprivation states of these two groups differed. However, when the deprivation states of these two groups coincided, the odor cues produced by the odor-donor rats became effective determinants of performance. Thus, it would appear that even though odor cues are influential in determining the runway performance of the rat subject, their effectiveness may well be drive-state dependent.

Figure drawing size as a reflection of self-concept or self-esteem

In two independent studies, objective measures of self-concept and selfesteem were assessed relative to the primary indicators of self-esteem or selfconcept in human figure drawings, size, area, etc. The results of both studies showed that when groups were differentiated significantly on either self-concept or self-esteem, the size of a figure drawn was not related to the level of self-concept or self-esteem.

The acquisition of a running response as a function of odor buildup, squad rotation, and introduction of naive subjects

A three-phase experiment was conducted in which rats received a double-alternation schedule of reward and nonreward. During Phase 1, the baseline period, double-alternation behavior was displayed earlier and more strongly by subjects run last in the daily sequence. This finding suggests that both reward and nonreward odor cues are cumulative over subjects. During Phase 2, a subject-rotation procedure was initiated; that is, each day the last subject in the previous day’s running sequence was moved to the first position in the sequence, etc. Rotation to the first position in the group led to an immediate disruption of responding. During Phase 3, two naive rats were inserted at the beginning of the running sequence and two at the end. The results, which showed that the naive animals placed at the end of the sequence acquired the patterning response much faster than those placed in the beginning positions, are interpreted as reflecting preparedness to respond to such intensified odors.

Sweet and sour rats: The effect of insulin dosage on shock-elicited aggression

The present study sought to determine what, if any, relationship exists between blood-sugar level and aggression. Three groups of rats had blood-sugar level experimentally reduced via injections of 4, 8, and 12 units of regular zinc insulin. A fourth group served as an injection control. One-half hour following its injection, each subject received 10 min of shock-elicited aggression testing. The results indicated that the subjects receiving the 12-unit insulin injection were significantly more aggressive than all other groups. Graphically there was an indication that the larger the insulin dosage (i.e., the lower the blood-sugar level), the higher the amount of aggression displayed.

Double-alternation runway performance as a function of inter- and intra-reinforcement odor cues.

Two groups of 12 rats served as Ss in a three-phase investigation into the production and utilization of odor cues in the runway. Both groups were trained under double-alternation patterns of reward-nonreward with one group serving as start-box donor-odorants, while the second group actually traversed the runway. During the first two phases the run-Ss were water-reinforced, and the donor-odorants were food-reinforced. The reinforcement schedules for the run and donor-odorant Ss were positively correlated during the first phase and negatively correlated during the second phase. In the third phase both groups were food reinforced and the reinforcement schedules once again positively correlated. The results indicated that significant double-alternation patterning was shown by the run-Ss only in the goal measure during Phases I and II. However, significant patterning was shown in start, run, and goal measures during Phase III, suggesting the specificity of odor cues to deprivational states.

Partial Reinforcement Effect under Odor Control

4 groups (ns = 10) of albino rats were given 40 acquisition and 25 extinction trials in a straight runway under one of the following conditions: (1) continuous reinforcement with an exhaust fan operative; (2) continuous reinforcement with exhaust fan operating but blocked from exhausting; (3) partial reinforcement with exhaust fan operating but blocked, and (4) partial reinforcement with exhaust fan operative. The results imply that exhausting odor(s) under a partial schedule increases running speeds during acquisition and resistance to extinction. The study points to important methodological implications for partial reinforcement research.

Acquisition and Extinction of a Runway Response as a Function of a Between- or Within-Subjects Odor Condition

2 groups of albino rats received the same schedule of reward and nonreward (NNNRN), the same magnitude of reward, the same intertrial interval but differed in terms of odor conditions. Each S in a partial reinforcement, within-Ss group received all 5 daily trials before the second S received its first daily trial, etc. Tor Ss in a between-Ss, odor group, 4 other Ss received a given trial before the first S received its second trial, etc. Thus, the only difference between these groups was whether an S followed itself or other Ss. The results showed that during acquisition there was no difference in goal approach rate between the groups, but during extinction, the group of Ss receiving all trials before others were tested extinguished significantly faster than the group of Ss run 1 trial at a time in the start, run, and goal segments of the runway. The study points to important methodological considerations for odor control.

Body self-image and homosexuality.

Adult males (N = 56) who differed in sexual orientation and preference were administered a self-report inventory that concerned their memory of the adolescent period of life. Six factors were assessed: Body self-concept, body weight problems, sports activities, parental relationships, interpersonal self-concept, and general self-concept. The results showed that homosexual males reported that they were significantly less adjusted during adolescence than heterosexual males.