Associative and nonassociative theories of the UCS preexposure phenomenon: Implications for Pavlovian conditioning

Excitatory Pavlovian conditioning of a discrete CS is attenuated by prior exposure to the UCS. The UCS preexposure phenomenon is observed in a variety of Pavlovian conditioning procedures as diverse as eyelid conditioning, the conditioned emotional response, and conditioned taste aversion learning....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological bulletin 1979-05, Vol.86 (3), p.523-548
Main Authors: Randich, Alan, LoLordo, Vincent M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Association
Avoidance Conditioning
Avoidance Learning
Classical Conditioning
Conditioned Emotional Responses
Conditioned Responses
Conditioning (Psychology)
Conditioning, Classical
Emotions
Eyelid Conditioning
Eyelids
Familiarity
Habituation, Psychophysiologic
Human
Humans
Psychological Theory
Rabbits
Rats
Taste
Unconditioned Stimulus
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Summary:Excitatory Pavlovian conditioning of a discrete CS is attenuated by prior exposure to the UCS. The UCS preexposure phenomenon is observed in a variety of Pavlovian conditioning procedures as diverse as eyelid conditioning, the conditioned emotional response, and conditioned taste aversion learning. This article discusses the variables that affect the UCS preexposure phenomenon and uses this information in evaluating both associative and nonassociative accounts of the phenomenon. At least one associative account, based on context blocking, and at least one nonassociative account, based on central habituation of the emotional response to the UCS, remain viable. (71 ref)
ISSN:0033-2909
1939-1455
DOI:10.1037/0033-2909.86.3.523