Chapter 5

Review from last class.Higher order conditioningOvershadowing (Stimulus Features)Blocking & Latent Inhibition (Prior Experience)

Higher Order ConditioningNeed to maintain 1st order conditioningTone-Food

Note that Light is still never directly paired with food!

first-order CStone (CS1)food (US)second-order CSLight (CS2)Phase 1:ToneFood

Phase 2:LightToneBut what would happen to the Tone?- Extinction!ToneFoodOvershadowing (Stimulus Features)A more salient stimulus will interfere with learning about less salient stimulie.g. compound stimuliLoud noise & dim light foodLight not learned aboutBlocking (Prior Experience)Novel stimuli presented in compound with an existing CS will not be learned aboutCS must be informative (i.e. add new information)Light wont be learned about

Latent Inhibition (Prior Experience)Pre-exposure to a CS makes it harder to conditionLearn first that CS does not signal US

Phase 1:Buzzer No FoodPhase 2:Buzzer FoodRegular Classical Conditioning:Buzzer FoodMORE TRIALS!Chapter 4Pavlovian (Classical) Applications6Fear7Conditioned SuppressionConditional Response (CR) involves suppress behaviour that would otherwise be performed1) Train rat to press bar for food2) Classical Conditioning: Pair light with shockScared rats freezei.e. when shock is coming, the rat will freezeWhile the rat is frozen with fear, it will NOT be pushing the barAfter conditioning, the rat should freeze in response to the light (CR)

Compare the amount of bar pressing when light is off and when light is onConditioned Emotional ResponseEmotional reactionsLearnedClassical conditioning9Little AlbertWatson & Rayner (1920)Hard line behaviouristNature vs NurtureFear previously thought to be:InnateFaulty reasoningInitial studies showed that infants NOT afraid of many innately frightening stimuliE.g. snakes, fire, ratsConditioned fear10MethodologyAlbert (11 months old)Present rat observeNo initial fearPresent rat bang metal bar (loud noise)UR = startlePresent rat Albert cries, avoidsCRPresent other furry objectsgeneralization11TerminologyUS = noiseUR = startle response/fearCS = ratCR = fear/avoidance12ConclusionsFear response produced through classical conditioningWatson suggests fear, hate, love conditionable13Albert IssuesSample sizeReplicationGeneralization to other objects14PrejudicePrejudice related to hate and fearHate and fear conditionableStaats & Staats (1958)Paired positive, negative, neutral words with nationalitiesSubjects rate nationalitiesRatings correspond with conditioning15In real lifeWhere do these associations come from?Political speechesMedia coverageNegative images, words, impressions paired with identifiable group16Counter ConditioningMary Cover Jones (1924)Eliminate phobia via classical conditioningPeter feared rabbitsPeter eats snack (US) present rabbit (CS)Associate positive US with CS17Systematic DesensitizationA type of Counter-conditioningAlso Aversion therapyRelaxation techniquesGradual introduction of phobic stimulusImagination up to real situation18FloodingFlood patient with exposure to fear-inducing stimulusNot counter-conditioningKind of like habituation but not discreet trials!19Advertising20First-Order C.C. in AdsProduct (initially neutral --> CS)Pair with stimulus that elicits positive emotion (US)Consumer sees product, has positive CR21ExampleSausagesUS = funny situationUR = happinessCS = brandCR = happiness, amusement, positive emotion22Example

Second-Order C.C.Use previously conditioned celebrity, situation, etc.CS1 & USNow, pair brand (CS2) with CS124ExampleSprintPeyton Manning = CS1Positive feeling = CRAttractive, successful, lifestyle = USPositive feeling = URSprint mobility = CS2Assumption: buy phone, be rich, popular, laser rocket arm25ExampleJapander.comBrad Pitt and 503 JeansPitt (CS1), leading man, celebrity, rich, pretty = desirable (US), 503s (CS2)Performance-void26ProblemsCelebs dont always maintain statusTom Cruise spoofMichael JacksonParaphilia28ParaphiliaIncorrect loveFetishism, masochism, pedophilia, etc.More common in malesFreud: unconscious forcesClassical conditioning: association formed29Example: MasochismGenerally, CS is previously neutralBut, a US, by pairing with another strong US, can become a CSPavlov: shock (CS) for food (US)Masochism: pain (CS) for sexual pleasure (US)30Counter ConditioningPair undesired CS with strongly aversive US (e.g., nausea)Aversion therapyAwareness not necessary for conditioning

31TreatmentVery difficult with some types of paraphiliaPedophilia, rape?Evolutionary PsychologyMale attraction to youthfulnessDesire for dominance and power32Taste Aversion33TypicallyLong-delay or trace conditioningUS is food poisoning, illness, etc.UR is nausea induced painCS is novel food/flavourCR is avoidance, nauseaViolation of contiguity?34Explanations?SensitizationAftertasteBiological preparednessTaste aversion a special case35Biological Preparedness in Taste-AversionGarcia & Koelling (1966)

36ExplanationBiological predispositionTaste and nauseaAudiovisual and shockMust know about CS-US relationship before predicting nature of CRCertain stimuli more easily associated than others37Immune Function38Allergic ReactionRelease of histaminesBodys immune response to allergensNot all allergic responses biologicalCan be learned39ExamplesPatient sneezes when presented artificial roseAllergies to pets; sometimes not as bad if dont know if pets are in house40Russell et al. (1984)Expose guinea pigs to BSABecomes allergen (US for histamine release)Pair BSA with odour of fish or sulphur (CSs)Expose guinea pigs to odours and get increased histamines (CR) in bloodstreamPreparatory value of classical conditioning41