THE EFFECT OF EYE-LIKE SCHEMA ON SHUTTLING ACTIVITY OF WILD HOUSE MICE (MUS-MUSCULUS-DOMESTICUS) - CONTEXT-DEPENDENT THREATENING ASPECTS OFTHE EYESPOT PATTERNS

The effects of footshock and various light-spot models on the shuttlin g activity of mice were examined in a passive avoidance situation. It was found that mild footshocks elicited initial exploration followed b y an increased tendency to escape from the compartment in which the sh ocks were administered. An encounter with models, consisting of variou s numbers of small yellow lights, without footshock did not cause sign ificant differences in shuttling activity. But if the models were pair ed with footshock, a tendency to explore during the first trial, high readiness to escape, and avoidance learning were found. These were cha racterized by a temporary increase in number of gate crossings, a decr ease in the time spent in the shocked compartment, and a considerable increase in latency to enter the shocked compartment. The most effecti ve model had two horizontally arranged yellow lights, which may share some characteristics with eye-like patterns.