O Jato de ar quente como estímulo aversivo: uma investigação sobre as respostas eliciadas e induzidas

Abstract

The Hot Air Blast (HAB) is an aversive stimulus that has been used as an alternative stimulus for the electric shock. However, little is known about the responses elicited and/or induced by it. The aim of the present study was to identify the possible responses elicited and/or induced by the HAB in two different experiments. In Experiment 1 the HAB was presented in a non-contingently schedule (VT3min, in a single 40min session). In Experiment 2 the HAB was presented in a contingent schedule, punishing the bar press response (FR1 + VI60s reinforcement for approximately 18 sessions). Five rats were used for each experiment and an adapted operant conditioning chamber. The main induced responses observed in Experiment. 1 were crouching: flat-back, walking, sniffing and visual scan. In Experiment. 2 the observed responses were: placing itself on the bar, sniffing the ceiling, contact with the body, rising, and visual scan. It was also observed a decrease of the response of inserting the head into the feeder. The results of both experiments point to some specific responses of staying away from the feeder and bar region and may be considered concurrent of the bar press operant response. The observed response suppression with the use of the HAB may be, therefore, explained through Skinner's asymmetric proposition for the punishment.