Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Document Type
Thesis
Date of this Version
6-1958
Citation
Thesis (M.S.)—University of Nebraska—Lincoln, 1958. Department of Psychology.
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the effects of brain x-radiation on the establishment of and recovery from abnormal behavior symptoms.The design was such as to also yield data showing the effects of radiation on simple discrimination learning. Forty-two albino rats were used in this study.The experimental rats received 5,000 roentgens of x-radiation to the brain and the control rates were sham-radiated.Following a period of preliminary adaptation to a modified Lashley jumping stand, the rats were trained in simple discrimination learning.The establishment of abnormal behavior was begun immediately after the rats reached the experimental criterion of 20 consecutive correct responses was initiated after the rats met the criterion of abnormal fixation responses.The rats were given 3 different types of recovery training.
Analysis of the results of this study showed that the radiated group showed neither greater susceptibility to the establishment of abnormal behavior nor quicker recovery from such behavior than the control group.Although qualitative observations indicated some differences between the groups, an adequate treatment of these qualitative observations remains to be made.
Advisor: William J. Arnold
Comments
Copyright 1958, the author. Used by permission.