Sexual approach conditioning: tests of unconditioned stimulus devaluation using hormone manipulations.
Contents of learning that result from conditioned-unconditioned stimulus pairings in sexual approach conditioning were explored with male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Sexual motivation of subjects conditioned to approach an arbitrary stimulus in a Pavlovian sexual conditioning paradigm was reduced by exposing them to a short photoperiod. Decreased sexual motivation resulted in a decline in sexually conditioned approach behavior (Experiments 1 and 2). Responding was restored when subjects were returned to a long photoperiod (Experiment 1) and when exogenous testosterone was administered (Experiment 2). Decreased sexual motivation did not affect food-conditioned approach behavior (Experiment 3). These results suggest that sexually conditioned approach behavior is mediated by a representation of the unconditioned stimulus, which is activated by the conditioned stimulus.
Holloway
K S
KS
Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin 78712.
Domjan
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D002988:Cloaca / Q000502:physiology; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology*; D003307:Copulation / Q000502:physiology; D003370:Coturnix; D004328:Drive; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012931:Social Environment
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones