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Double responding in classical nictitating membrane conditioning with single-CS dual-ISI training
The Pavlovian Journal of Biological Science
|July 1, 1976
Summary
Rabbits showed a double response (DR) in classical conditioning, with separate conditioned responses (CRs) at each interstimulus interval (ISI). This finding supports a Pavlovian stimulus-trace mechanism over simpler instrumental conditioning models.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Neuroscience
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Classical conditioning research explores how stimuli become associated.
- Previous studies on rabbits yielded different results regarding conditioned responses (CRs) under dual interstimulus intervals (ISIs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of conditioned responses (CRs) in rabbits using a single conditioned stimulus (CS) and dual interstimulus intervals (ISIs).
- To examine factors influencing the emergence of a double response (DR) and compare findings with prior research.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits were subjected to classical conditioning with a single CS and dual ISIs.
- Variations in unconditioned stimulus (US) location and intensity were manipulated.
- Subsequent shifts to nonoptimal conditioning parameters were tested.
Main Results:
- A separate CR was conditioned at each ISI, resulting in a double response (DR) on longer ISI trials.
- DR development was facilitated by circumorbital US location and higher US intensity.
- DR frequency showed resilience to shifts towards nonoptimal conditioning conditions.
Conclusions:
- The results support a Pavlovian stimulus-trace mechanism, where the US associates with a specific temporal part of the CS.
- Simpler instrumental-response-shaping hypotheses require significant complexity to account for the observed DR phenomenon.