Sound-induced frive, prior motion restraint, and reduced sensory stimulation effects on rocking behavior in retarded persons.

Sound-induced drive, prior motion restaint, and reduced sensory stimulation effects on body-rocking rate were assessed in a group of 16 retarded subjects. Significant rate increases were associated with the presentation of high intensity sound and short periods of reduced sensory stimulation. Increases were not associated with prior motion restraint. The results suggest that reduced sensory stimulation operates as a drive variable, summating with other operationally defined sources of drive, e.g., high intensity sound.