A Study of Habit Regression in the Albino Rat

In 1940, Martin(9) discovered that susceptibility to regression was a function of the relative strength of the old dominant behavior or the first habit. Later on, O'Kelly(14,15) obtained with a somewhat different technique results that support Martin's finding. Owing to its theoretical significance, nevertheless, it is still valuable to test this relationship in a comparatively standard experimental situation such as that designed by Mowrer(11,12). Some clinical and experimental data on human beings have revealed that the after-effects of infantile insecurity might play a major role in shaping the future personality, especially the emotional aspect of the individual. The early insecurity may be induced by different 'devices', such as feeding schedule, training method, the onset of weaning, etc., in baby- and child-hood, but, as some authors have said, the experiences of insecurity, anxiety and tension are more important than specific 'devices'.