Learning about the CS during latent inhibition: preexposure enhances temporal control

Bonardi, Charlotte; Brilot, Ben; Jennings, D�mhnall J.

Abstract

In three experiments rats were given nonreinforced preexposure to an auditory stimulus, after which this stimulus and a second, novel cue were paired with food. Lower rates of conditioned responding were observed to the preexposed stimulus across the three experiments, indicative of latent inhibition. The degree to which animals used these cues to time the occurrence of food delivery was also examined. Paradoxically, the response slopes - indicating the rate of increase in responding over the course of the CS - were greater for the preexposed than for the novel cues, consistent with the suggestion that the preexposed stimulus exerted greater temporal control. Moreover, this was the case irrespective of whether the duration of the cue during preexposure differed from that during conditioning. These results suggest that although CS preexposure retards conditioning, it may enhance timing. The findings are discussed in terms of current models of conditioning and timing.

Citation

Bonardi, C., Brilot, B., & Jennings, D. J. (2016). Learning about the CS during latent inhibition: preexposure enhances temporal control. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cognition, 42(2), 187-199. https://doi.org/10.1037/xan0000096

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Feb 15, 2016
• Publication Date: Feb 15, 2016
• Deposit Date: Dec 14, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 15, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cognition
• Print ISSN: 2329-8456
• Electronic ISSN: 2329-8464
• Publisher: American Psychological Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 187-199
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/xan0000096
• Keywords: association formation, Pavlovian conditioning, conditioned responding, latent inhibition, timing
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/776273
• Publisher URL: http://psycnet.apa.org/psycarticles/2016-07800-001
• Additional Information: This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record.