Modulation of a discrete Pavlovian conditioned reflex by a putative emotive Pavlovian conditioned stimulus.
Three experiments showed the modulation of a rabbit eyeblink conditioned response (CR) to a Pavlovian conditioned stimulus (CS) by 30-s stimuli (A & B) that had been differentially paired with paraorbital shock. The CS (Y) was a 1,050-ms cue that had been paired with paraorbital shock outside A or B. In testing, the amplitude of CRs was greater when Y was presented within A than within B. Differential modulation occurred whether shock in A had been preceded by another 1,050-ms cue, X(AX+,BX-;Experiment 1) or not (A+B-;Experiment 2). Experiment 3 compared the technique of Experiment 1 (AX+) with that of Experiment 2 (A+) and found the latter to be advantageous for facilitation of CRs to Y by A. These data are consistent with the predictions of a model of Pavlovian conditioning (AESOP, Wagner & Brandon, 1989) that distinguishes between emotive and sensory conditioning as did Konorski (1967).
Brandon
S E
SE
Yale University.
Wagner
A R
AR
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal; D001245:Association Learning; D001288:Attention; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D003215:Conditioning, Eyelid; D005239:Fear; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D011930:Reaction Time