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Priming of aggressive motivation in Betta splendens

, and . Animal Behaviour, 28 (1): 135--142 (February 1980)

Abstract

Swimming speed in a runway for a view of a conspecific was shown to be positively correlated with vigor of aggressive display prior to the experiment. A priming procedure (preexposure to a conspecific) and decreasing the time between trials were then shown to increase swimming speed. Priming also increased the choice for a conspecific over food, but only in the presence of particular external stimuli. These results suggest that there is a high degree of similarity between aggression and other motivations, such as hunger and thirst.

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