The Role of Endorphins in Animal Learning and Behavior
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1980
Abstract
The present review examined the influence of endorphins in animal learning and behavior. It was suggested that in learning paradigms involving stress, the stressor elicits the release of endorphins. Given the evidence on endorphin-mediated, stress-induced analgesia, it was further suggested that the stress-induced release of endorphins modulates the aversiveness of the stressor, and as such, affects the learning based on this stressor. A number of learning paradigms, e.g., the conditioned emotional response, preference for signaled shock, conditioned taste aversions, and learned helplessness, were presented in support of this mediation of learning by the endorphins. A possible interaction between the endorphins and adrenocorticotrophic hormone was offered as a physiological basis for this mediation.
DOI
10.1016/0149-7634(80)90026-3
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Riley, Anthony L.; Zellner, Debra; and Duncan, Heather J., "The Role of Endorphins in Animal Learning and Behavior" (1980). Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 528.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/psychology-facpubs/528