Explorations of coping strategies, learned persistence, and resilience in long-evans rats: Innate versus acquired characteristics

Kelly G. Lambert, Kelly Tu, Ashley Everette, Gennifer Love, Ilan McNamara, Massimo Bardi, Craig H. Kinsley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

In the current investigation, predispositions for coping styles (i.e., passive, flexible, and active) were determined in juvenile male rats. In subsequent behavioral tests, flexible copers exhibited more active responses. In another study, animals were exposed to chronic stress and flexible coping rats had lower levels of corticosteroids. Focusing on the acquired nature of coping strategies, rats receiving extensive training in a task requiring them to dig for food rewards (i.e., effort-based rewards) persisted longer in a challenging task than control animals. Thus, the results suggest that both predisposed coping strategies and acquired behavioral experience contribute to resilience in challenging situations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationResilience in Children
PublisherBlackwell Publishing Inc.
Pages319-324
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)1573316431, 9781573316439
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2006
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume1094
ISSN (Print)0077-8923
ISSN (Electronic)1749-6632

Keywords

  • Coping
  • Effort-based rewards
  • Learned persistence
  • Resilience

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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