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Memory priming and trial spacing effects in Pavlovian learning.
Ceyhun Sunsay1, Lee Stetson, Mark E Bouton
1University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
Learning & Behavior
|July 30, 2004
Summary
Massed conditioning trials impair learning compared to spaced trials. Recent trials interfere with new learning through short-term memory priming effects of conditioned stimuli (CS) and unconditioned stimuli (US).
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Animal Learning
Background:
- Massed conditioning trials lead to less learning than spaced trials.
- Recent conditioning trials may interfere with subsequent learning via short-term memory priming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if recent conditioning trials interfere with subsequent conditioning by priming short-term memory.
- To examine the roles of conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US) priming in massed trial deficits.
Main Methods:
- Four experiments using appetitive conditioning procedures with rat subjects.
- Priming trials (nonreinforced CS or reinforced CS-US pairings) preceded target trials by 60 seconds.
Main Results:
- Nonreinforced CS priming interfered only when the CS was identical on priming and target trials.
- Reinforced CS-US priming interfered regardless of CS identity, implicating the US.
- These priming effects contribute to deficits seen in massed trial procedures.
Conclusions:
- CS and US priming effects play a role in reduced conditioning with massed trials.
- Findings align with the sometimes opponent process (SOP) model, with a paradox suggesting USs have motivational effects beyond memory.