Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2016
A general role for early onset cues and intra-event learning; comment on McDonald and Siegel (2004)
1Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. mark.bouton@uvm.edu
Abstract:
Research on classical conditioning with drug unconditional stimuli has had a profound effect on the understanding of general conditioning processes. The experiment reported by R. V. McDonald and S. Siegel (see record 2004-10475-001) demonstrates that cues coincident with the onset of an event can become associated with the rest of the event. This sort of learning is probably ubiquitous and has been proposed as a mechanism behind the development of panic disorder, in which interoceptive cues coincident with the start of a panic attack can be associated with the rest of the attack and can eventually come to elicit full-blown panic on their own. Evidence that extinction exposure to early onset cues can reduce their power is especially important. Drug conditioning research continues to provide a powerful testing ground for important general principles of learning.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
Observational Learning
Associative Learning
Classical conditioning, also known...
Purposive Learning
Timing and Consequences on Behavior
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant factor...
Role of Amygdala in Memory
One of the...
