Aggressive display in the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)
Learning and Motivation, 3 (4):
457--468 (November 1972)Abstract
At moderate levels of deprivation (48 and 120 hr.) for both rewards, each of 4 male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) chose the response which produced their mirror image more frequently than the response which produced food. At the highest deprivation level employed (240 hr.), however, the preference was reversed. Results of Exp. II (n = 6) show that Ss preferred to respond for the opportunity to display when their choice responses did not also produce a brief electric shock, in contrast to previous results with nonchoice procedure. Exp. III (n = 6) extended the generality of N. Adler and J. A. Hogan's finding that shock suppresses aggressive display and shows that noncontingent shock was ineffective in producing suppression.