Classical differential and operant conditioning in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with septal lesions.

Normal rabbits and rabbits with septal lesions received classical differential conditioning of the nictitating membrane response (NMR), followed by auditory generalization tests run in extinction. Although rate of acquisition and asymptotic responding to positive conditioned stimuli did not differ, septals responded more than normals to nonreinforced stimuli. Resultant decrements in differential conditioning could not be attributed to changes in auditory or shock thresholds or to increased spontaneous NMRs. Septals also responded at higher rates in both operant conditioning (bar presses reinforced with food pellets on a variable interval schedule) and extinction sessions. No difference in suppression in a passive avoidance task was found. Results are discussed in relation to McCleary's response disinhibition analysis of septal function, and an habituation hypothesis is considered.