[Avoidance reactions to a partner's pain stimulation in rats with local brain damage]

Avoidance reaction to pain stimulation of another individual was studied in white rats before and after lesion of the frontal, cingular, entorhinal cortex, septum and median gray matter. The avoidance reaction improved following destruction of the frontal cortex and deteriorated after lesion of the median gray matter. A conclusion has been drawn that the participation of various brain structures in the investigated reaction is closely connected with other functions of these structures. The results obtained contradict McLynn's (1970) suggestion of a rigid dependence of definite forms of zoosocial behaviour on certain brain formations.