Classical/Pavlovian Conditioning: Conditioned Inhibition

conditioned inhibition

A process where one stimulus (X) stops a response to another stimulus (A).
Procedure:

• Phase I: A leads to a positive outcome.

• Phase II: A still leads to a positive outcome, but A and X together do not.
  Results: A triggers a response alone; X inhibits it when paired with A.
  Significance: X is a conditioned inhibitor that stops the response.

inferring inhibition

Methods to test for conditioned inhibition.
Example:

• Tests:

  • Summation Test: Does X inhibit the CR?

  • Retardation Test: Does learning take longer when X is introduced?

summation test

It checks if a conditioned inhibitor (X) can stop the response to another stimulus (B). If X prevents the reaction to B, it shows that X can inhibit responses.
Example: If a dog learns that a bell means food but a light means no food, the light can stop the dog from salivating when it hears the bell.

retardation test

It checks if turning a conditioned inhibitor (X) into a conditioned excitor (like signaling food) takes longer than normal.
Example: If a dog was trained that a light (X) means no food, it will take longer for the dog to learn that the light now means food because of the earlier training.

latent inhibition (CS pre-exposure effect)

It occurs when prior exposure to a conditioned stimulus (L) slows down learning when it's later paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
Procedure:

• Phase I: Group 1 gets L alone; Group 2 gets nothing.

• Phase II: Both groups receive L paired with a positive outcome.
  Results: Group 1 takes longer to develop a conditioned response (CR) than Group 2.
  Significance: Previous exposure makes L less effective in creating a new conditioned response later. L is not a conditioned inhibitor, as shown in summation tests.

US pre-exposure effect

it describes how prior exposure to an unconditioned stimulus (US) can slow down learning when it's later paired with a conditioned stimulus (CS).
Procedure:

• Phase I: Group 1 gets the US alone; Group 2 gets nothing.

• Phase II: Both groups receive CS paired with the US.
  Results: Group 1 develops a conditioned response (CR) slower than Group 2.
  Significance: Familiarity with the US before training reduces its effectiveness in facilitating learning.

How can subjects control their conditioned response (CR) in Pavlovian conditioning?

This examines whether animals can inhibit their salivation to receive a reward.
Omission Control Procedure:

• Procedure:

  • If Bell → No Salivation: Receive food.

  • If Bell → Salivation: Receive no food.

• Key Idea: If animals can control their salivation, they will learn to inhibit it to get food.

• Results: Animals often cycle between learning (acquisition) and not learning (extinction).
  Example: A dog learns that by not salivating when it hears a bell, it will get food, but if it salivates, it gets nothing.