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A study of the conditioned aversion to saccharin solution resulting from exposure to x-radiation: Progress report for the period September 1, 1961-May 15, 1962

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6351062
This document describes studies of ionizing irradiations as motivating stimuli. X-rays administered simultaneously with the ingestion of saccharin fluid cause an aversion to saccharin in subsequent preference tests. The author demonstrated the use of a single exposure of x-rays as the unconditioned stimulus in conditioning an aversion to saccharin fluid in both young and mature rats. A study testing the effects of various wave lengths and several roentgen doses on the conditioned aversion to saccharin fluid will continue. The author studied the problem of how x-rays are perceived or experienced using as sources the deep therapy x-ray machine, a cesium 137 source, and a 3 MeV accelerator. White Caroneaux pigeons were trained in a Skinner box to peck a key for grain reinforcement. The bird is placed in front of a radiation source and reinforced only for pecks when the radiation is not present; other birds were reinforced only when radiation is present. If the bird perceived the radiation, learning had occurred. Head irradiation in some animals causes a decrease in auditory threshold, and an additional study investigated the effect of x-rays on the auditory threshold of the Nocutid moth. 6 refs. (TEM)
Research Organization:
Florida State Univ., Tallahassee (USA). Dept. of Psychology
OSTI ID:
6351062
Report Number(s):
DOE/NBM-7008280; ON: DE87008280
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English