TY - JOUR AU - Peters, John E. AB - Published as a separate and in The Journal of Psychology, 1960, 60, 227-251. THE EFFECT OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES ON THE GROWTH AND BEHAVIOR OF THE RAT*l Laboratory for Behavioral Research, Medical Cenier, University of Arkansas CHARLES R. GALBRECHT, ROSCOE A. DYKMAN, AND JOHN E. PETE& A. PROBLEM The present study developed from some accidental results obtained with one experimental dog in a previous study (Dykman and Gantt, 1960). During an early preconditioning period, three electrical stimuli of a very high intensity were applied to the animal's left forepaw. As a result of circuit difficulties, the shocks were higher in intensity than was intended. During the first two days following the shocks, no signs of disturbance other than an accelerated heart rate (HR) were observed. However, between the second and the 24th day, the following pathological responses appeared in the absence of further traumatic stimulation : pronounced tachycardia, trembling, motor restlessness, aperiodic struggling, cowering at the sight of the experimenter, urination, defecation, vomiting, and penile erections. Vari- ous procedures were tried in an attempt to extinguish these responses; e.g., special care and food, multiple daily sessions, and mild electrical stimuli. Only the mild stimuli were effective. After two days of TI - The Effect of Traumatic Experiences on the Growth and Behavior of the Rat JF - The Journal of Psychology DO - 10.1080/00223980.1960.9916440 DA - 1960-10-01 UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/taylor-francis/the-effect-of-traumatic-experiences-on-the-growth-and-behavior-of-the-10PLgKHkGt SP - 227 EP - 251 VL - 50 IS - 2 DP - DeepDyve ER -