Inescapable shock increases finickiness about drinking quinine-adulterated water in rats

This study concerned the effect of inescapable shock on finickiness, operationally defined as suppressed consumption of quinine-adulterated water. Exposure to a single session of inescapable shock increased finickiness relative to simple restraint or no treatment (Experiment 1). The effect of shock on finickiness was replicable, was specific to adulterated water, and persisted for at least 24 h (Experiment 2). The weak quinine solution rejected by shocked rats supported a conditioned taste aversion, suggesting that the difference between shocked rats and controls was not due to the inability of the latter to taste the quinine (Experiment 3). This phenomenon may be pertinent to the interpretation of appetitive “helplessness” effects and to the nature of eating disorders associated with stress and depression.