Lecture 6 - The Content of Conditioning

Question 1

Omission Test

Answer 1

By performing the desired response the subject will not be rewards with food (this is the opposite of what is usually done in instrumental conditioning).

The subject should have no opportunity to learn that its behaviour is causing a reward.

This is a great way to test for instrumental learning.

Question 2

Auto-shaping in pigeons

Answer 2

The pigeon will start pecking at the light in expectation to being delivered food.

Question 3

Long-box in pigeons

Answer 3

Long box, with light at one end and food delivered at other end. The pigeon still feels a need to run to the light when it comes on and peck at it, and then bolt to the other end to receive the food.

Question 4

Omission in pigeons

Answer 4

if the pigeon pecks the light that will cancel the food on that trial. The pigeon can’t stop pecking, so this behaviour fails the omission test (if this was a truly instrumental response the pigeon should have no trouble omitting the response)

Question 5

Do Pavlovian CRs and Instrumental CRs pass or fail the omission test?

Answer 5

Pavlovian CRs FAILS omission test - subjects can’t ‘control’ their response.

Instrumental CRs PASS the omission test.

Question 6

Stimulus-substitution theory

Answer 6

For Pavlov, the ringing bell became a substitute for the food in controlling the drooling reflex.

The crucial association was between two stimuli: S-S learning

Question 7

Second Order Conditioning

Answer 7

You can present a new CS with the old CS and get a new response.

Once a CS has been fairly well conditioned, the CS itself can serve as a “US” and support new conditioning.

Phase 1: L-Food
Phase 2: T-L
Test: T?

Question 8

Sensory Preconditioning

Answer 8

Two conditional stimuli are first paired, and then one is separately associated with a US

Phase 1: T-L
Phase 2: L-Food
Phase 3: T?