title: The contribution of latent inhibition to reduced generalization after pre-exposure to the test stimulus.
abstract: Two experiments assessed the contribution of latent inhibition to the generalization-reducing effects of pre-exposure to the test stimulus using a taste aversion procedure in rats. In both experiments, lithium chloride induced illness was paired with a flavor compound (AX) of either salt or sugar (A or B) and hydrochloric acid (X). Generalization of the resulting aversion to a test compound (BX), was assessed after varying pre-exposure to BX, X, and B. Experiment 1 showed that generalization to BX was less when BX itself had been exposed than equivalent pre-exposure to either B and X separately or to B and a new compound (CX). Experiment 2 showed that levels of generalization varied directly as a function of the amount of pre-exposure to BX. The findings show that latent inhibition alone cannot account for the generalization-reducing effect of pre-exposure to BX.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, College of Charleston, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424, USA. Nikisanjuan@hispavista.com
authors.forename: Maria Del Carmen
authors.initials: Mdel C
authors.lastname: Sanjuan
authors.forename: Gumersinda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: James Byron
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology*