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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 14, 2026

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

Published on: February 20, 2019

Contingency learning is reduced for high conflict stimuli.

Peter S Whitehead¹, Gene A Brewer¹, Nowed Patwary¹

¹Department of Psychology, Arizona State University.

Acta Psychologica

|September 21, 2016

Summary

This study investigated contingency learning and control processes. Findings support conflict-mediated Hebbian learning, showing that adding conflict reduces contingency learning effects.

Keywords:

Conflict-modulated Hebbian-learning Contingency learning Response conflict Stroop

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience
Learning Theory

Background:

Recent theories suggest contingency learning is independent of control processes.
Parallel processing accounts propose behavioral effects stem solely from contingency learning.
This contrasts with conflict-mediated Hebbian-learning models, which propose an interactive system.

Purpose of the Study:

To test parallel processing accounts against conflict-mediated Hebbian-learning models.
To investigate the interaction between conflict and contingency learning.
To examine whether control processes influence contingency learning.

Main Methods:

Replication of the contingency learning effect.
Modification of the contingency learning paradigm by manipulating conflict.
Analysis of the interaction between conflict and contingency learning.

Main Results:

The contingency learning effect was successfully replicated.
The addition of conflict significantly reduced the magnitude of the contingency learning effect.
Results align with predictions of conflict-mediated Hebbian-learning models.

Conclusions:

Findings support conflict-mediated Hebbian-learning models over parallel processing accounts.
Contingency learning and control processes appear to be interactively linked.
Conflict plays a crucial role in modulating contingency learning.