The present experiments were conducted to obtain basic data on some factors that could influence rat's coping processes in grid-shock situations by measuring the current flow through the rat. Unsignaled 1-s shocks were delivered repeatedly through a grid floor by a fixed impedance ac shock source. The current-flow measure was indexed by “gross skin conductance (GSC)”. In Experiment I, the shock intensity was the independent variable, and rat's GSCs under four shock levels (75 V, 150 V, 300 V and 600 V) were measured. The rats under the higher shock conditions showed higher GSC than did the rats under the lower shock conditions. In Experiment II, the effects of water deprivation (0 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h) upon rat's GSCs were investigated. Generally, the higher thirst has led to lower GSC. In Experiment II when the grid-floor rods were thicker and the space between rods wider than in Experiment I, there was less tendency for rats to jump and move about, which have led to higher GSC and smaller variability in GSCs than Experiment I.
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