Cooperative behavior in rats: Effect on extinction of shock onset conditions during acquisition

Pairs of female albino rats (N = 20) were placed in a mixed-motive situation in which they were dependent upon each other in order to avoid electric shock and obtain food. At the beginning of each trial during acquisition of cooperative responding, pairs in one condition were exposed to delay in shock onset which allowed avoidance of the shock. Pairs in the other condition were exposed to immediate onset of shock which permitted only escape from the shock. All pairs learned to cooperate. When shock was entirely eliminated during an extinction period, reduction in the responses required for cooperation occurred more rapidly in pairs that were exposed to the escape condition than in pairs exposed to the avoidance condition. Results are discussed as having implications for cooperative behavior ordinarily viewed as under the aegis of mutual positive reinforcement but which may be maintained by cues that are producing avoidance of aversive stimulation.