Social deficits and stereotyped repetitive behaviours are the two core features of autistic
spectrum disorders (ASDs) and animal models of these disorders can prove as valuable tools to
investigate their mechanisms and causes. Here, we aimed first to better characterize rewarding
aspects of social interaction in a three chambers task. Then, we developed a shorter protocol to
perform social conditioning place preference (sCPP) and tested the requirement of the conditioning
sessions to promote a sCPP by using a group of mice that underwent a trial where the contingencies
were not kept between associations of stimuli and chamber. As social interaction can be aversive too,
we developed the first protocol of social aversion place preference (sCPA) using an aggressive social
stimulus. Finally, we tested the two core domains of ASDs and anxiety that is often comorbid in these
disorders in a mouse model (shShank3) in which SHANK3 was downregulated specifically in the
ventral tegmental area (VTA) that plays a key role in social motivation. Even thought a bidirectional
social interaction is not required to promote a social preference it seems to be crucial to sustain and
improve a reciprocal motivation, which will facilitate a stable long-term relationship. Our sCPP and
sCPA protocols showed the relevance of the conditioning sessions and are time sparing. ShShank3
mice displayed social interaction deficits and repetitive behaviour but did not show any increased
anxiety compared with controls.