Abstract
Male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) were reinforced for swimming through an aperture by a mirror presentation which released an innate aggressive display. Moderately intense shock-punishment of the operant response increased the vigor of the display and, temporarily, the rates of the operant response. Gradual decreases in rate within and across nonpunished sessions reflected short-term and long-term habituation to the mirror image.
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This research was supported by Grant MH 15768-01 from the National Institute of Mental Health.
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Melvin, K.B., Anson, J.E. Facilitative effects of punishment on aggressive behavior in the Siamese fighting fish. Psychon Sci 14, 89–90 (1969). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332718
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332718