Conditioning and residual emotionality effects of predator stimuli: some reflections on stress and emotion

摘要: The advantages of using predator-related odor stimuli to study emotional responses in laboratory tests depend on whether such do elicit a relatively complete pattern emotionality. This has been confirmed for cat fur/skin stimuli, which range defensive behaviors rats that may be reduced by anxiolytic drugs, produce residual anxiety-like behavior the elevated plus maze and support rapid aversive conditioning context they were encountered. Although synthetic fox fecal odor, trimethylthiazoline (TMT), elicits avoidance similar seen response this does not respond drugs. In addition, TMT maze, nor it conditioning. As natural feces also but fail conditioning, is possible ability serve as an effective unconditioned stimulus (US) relates its predictive status with reference actual presence predator. Avoidance per se reflect necessarily capable eliciting response. view consonant findings Mouse Defense Test Battery (MDTB) measuring wide predator exposure. A contextual defense measure either conditioned or was almost never drug effects unless these risk assessment threat/attack measures. However, reductions without changes flight/avoidance measures much more common. These suggest flight/avoidance, although obviously occur one component full behaviors, somewhat separable from others. When-as appears case TMT-it major perhaps only consistent elicited, noxious little predict threat danger. That suggests need reanalysis characteristics required US.