Causal Learning and Predictiveness Effects

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of Mackintosh's theory?

The orienting response in predictive learning

The role of attention in associative learning (correct)

The process of classical conditioning

Selective association between cues and outcomes

In the study by Le Pelley et al. (2005), what was the outcome of the test phase when participants were asked to predict O3?

Participants were more confident that vx would produce O3 than AC

There was no significant difference in confidence between AC and vx

Participants were unsure about the prediction of O3

Participants were more confident that AC would produce O3 than vx (correct)

According to the Mackintosh model, what happens to αCS when a new CS is perceived as a good predictor of the US?

αCS decreases

αCS remains unchanged

αCS increases (correct)

αCS becomes fixed

What is the term for the process by which cues are selectively associated with outcomes based on their predictive value?

Selective association Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the variable that represents the associability of a cue in the Mackintosh model?

αCS Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the Mackintosh model and the Rescorla-Wagner model?

The Mackintosh model assumes variable associability, while the Rescorla-Wagner model assumes fixed associability Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental assumption of Mackintosh's theory that is challenged by the Hall-Pearce effect?

The associative learning is dependent on the attentional processing of the CS. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Pearce-Hall model?

To explain the role of attention in classical conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the predictive learning of the CS in the Pearce-Hall model?

The CS is processed automatically without attentional waste. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between αA and αB in Phase 1 of the Hall-Pearce experiment?

Both αA and αB increase. Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of the Hall-Pearce effect on the predictive learning of the CS?

The CS is less likely to be processed attentionally. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the Mackintosh's theory and the Pearce-Hall model?

Mackintosh's theory assumes attentional processing is dependent on the US, while the Pearce-Hall model assumes it is dependent on the CS. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the primary critique of the Rescorla-Wagner model?

It does not account for latent inhibition Signup and view all the answers

According to Mackintosh's attentional model, which of the following is true?

Animals pay more attention to stimuli that predict important events Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the A2 component of the unconditioned eyeblink response?

To mediate the fear response to the tone CS Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which a stimulus becomes associated with the context in which it is presented?

Context-stimulus association Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of classical conditioning according to the R-W model?

The CS can elicit a CR without the US Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phenomenon where pre-exposure to the CS impairs subsequent conditioning?

Latent inhibition Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mackintosh's Theory

Mackintosh (1975) proposed that animals pay attention to stimuli that predict important events.
According to Mackintosh's theory, α (associability) increases for stimuli that reliably predict the outcome.
In Phase 1, αA increases as it reliably predicts the shock.

The Hall-Pearce Effect

The Hall-Pearce effect (Hall & Pearce, 1979) challenges Mackintosh's theory.
In Phase 1, αA decreases rather than increases, contradicting Mackintosh's assumption.

Pearce-Hall Model

Pearce and Hall (1980) proposed an alternative attentional theory of learning.
According to the Pearce-Hall model, ΔVcs = (processing of CS) (processing of US).
Stimuli that fully predict their consequences will be processed automatically without attentional waste.

Le Pelley et al. (2005)

Le Pelley et al. (2005) found that humans pay attention to good predictors of outcomes (allergies).
The study supported Mackintosh's theory, showing that participants were more confident in the predictive ability of cues that were good predictors of outcomes.

Mackintosh Model

The Mackintosh model states that ΔVcs = α (processing of CS) (processing of US).
A new CS will have relatively high associability (α≈0.8), which increases or decreases based on the stimulus's predictive history.

R-W Model Limitations

The Rescorla-Wagner (R-W) model has limitations, including latent inhibition.
Latent inhibition occurs when pre-exposure to a stimulus impairs subsequent conditioning.

Wagner's Context-Stimulus Association

Wagner (1976) proposed that associative priming of stimulus by full A1 activation of stimulus context leads to latent inhibition.
The context—stimulus association accounts for latent inhibition.

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Description

Test your understanding of the outcome specificity of learned predictiveness effects in human causal learning. This quiz is based on the study by Le Pelley et al. (2005) and explores the relationship between food combinations and patient reactions. Learn about the role of predictors in causal learning and assess your knowledge of this psychological concept.