Augmentation of eating following a signal for feeding in rats

Previous studies have shown that a CS for feeding produces increases in some measures of excitation, but effects on other behaviors have not been examined. Two experiments examined effects on eating. In each experiment, one group of rats was presented with a CS preceding feeding, while control groups had no anticipatory signal. Ss with signaled feeding learned to eat more than control Ss, and their body weights were relatively higher. These results indicate that conditioned incentive stimuli may have broader effects than have classically been attributed to them. It is also suggested that learned factors may mediate the effects of deprivation operations on eating and play a significant part in the regulation of feeding.