Priming of aggressive motivation in Betta splendens

Swimming speed in a runway for a view of a conspecific was shown to be positively correlated with vigour of aggressive display prior to the experiment. A priming procedure (pre-exposure to a conspecific), and decreasing the time between trials, were then shown to increase swimming speed. Priming also increased the choice for a conspecific over food, but only in the presence of particular external stimuli. These results are interpreted to mean that the level of aggressive motivation is determined by a complex interaction of internal and external factors, and that there is a high degree of similarity between aggression and other motivations such as hunger and thirst.