Unblocking with Qualitative Change of Unconditioned Stimulus

Conditioned barpress suppression was used to examine the effects of qualitative changes in the unconditioned stimulus (US) between Phases 1 and 2 of a blocking paradigm. In Phase 1, rats received pairings of a conditioned stimulus (CS) with footshock. In Phase 2, experimental subjects received a sin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Learning and motivation 1997-05, Vol.28 (2), p.268-279
Main Authors: Blaisdell, Aaron P., Denniston, James C., Miller, Ralph R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Learning
Psychology
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Summary:Conditioned barpress suppression was used to examine the effects of qualitative changes in the unconditioned stimulus (US) between Phases 1 and 2 of a blocking paradigm. In Phase 1, rats received pairings of a conditioned stimulus (CS) with footshock. In Phase 2, experimental subjects received a single trial of the same CS or a different CS compounded with a second stimulus and followed either by a footshock or an ice water dunking. These two USs were equated in their potential to elicit conditioned suppression of barpressing. Less blocking of the second stimulus (i.e., unblocking) was observed in subjects that received a qualitative change in US between phases than in subjects for which the US was consistent between phases. This unblocking effect is discussed with respect to the differences between various models of conditioning and several prior successes and failures to demonstrate unblocking.
ISSN:0023-9690
1095-9122
DOI:10.1006/lmot.1996.0961