Date of Completion
10-14-2013
Embargo Period
10-14-2014
Major Advisor
John D. Salamone
Associate Advisor
Merce Correa
Associate Advisor
James J. Chrobak
Associate Advisor
R. Holly Fitch
Associate Advisor
Etan J. Markus
Field of Study
Psychology
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Open Access
Open Access
Abstract
Organisms frequently make effort-related decisions in order to overcome obstacles separating them from significant stimuli. Effort-related behavioral processes are an important aspect of motivation, and effort-related motivational dysfunctions can be critical symptoms of depression and other disorders. The current work explores the use of a novel operant task, the concurrent progressive ratio (PROG)/chow feeding choice task. Rats tested on the PROG/chow feeding task are given a choice between lever pressing on a progressive ratio for preferred food pellets vs. approaching and consuming the less preferred lab chow that is concurrently available.
Recommended Citation
Randall, Patrick A., "Winners, Losers, Workers, Slackers: Studies Examining the Effort-Related Motivational Symptoms of Depression Using the Progressive Ratio / Chow Feeding Choice Procedure" (2013). Doctoral Dissertations. 217.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/dissertations/217