Psychology Conditioning: Kamin's Experiment

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'prediction error' signify in the Rescorla-Wagner model?

The immediate change in learning rate.

The sum of associative strengths of multiple stimuli.

The difference between maximum associative strength and current associative strength. (correct)

The likelihood of the US occurring given a CS.

In the context of the Rescorla-Wagner model, what happens when a CS already predicts the US well?

More learning occurs due to high prediction error.

Learning is completely blocked.

The learning rate increases significantly.

Less learning occurs due to low prediction error. (correct)

How does salience influence associative strength in compound conditioning?

Salience has no effect on associative strength.

Salient stimuli share equal associative strength regardless of their individual presence.

More salient stimuli acquire more associative strength. (correct)

More salient stimuli acquire less associative strength.

What occurs during the blocking effect in compound conditioning?

The second CS is overshadowed by the first without gaining any strength. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a high salience stimulus in a compound conditioning scenario?

It leads to overshadowing of the lower salience stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

In the modified Rescorla-Wagner equation for two CSs, what does 'VA + VB' represent?

The total associative strength already acquired by both CSs. Signup and view all the answers

What does the variable α represent in the equations of the Rescorla-Wagner model?

The rate of learning influenced by the salience of the stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driver of learning in the Rescorla-Wagner model?

Prediction error. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of the experimental group's conditioning in Kamin's experiment?

Conditioned Emotional Response only to CS1. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of CS1 in the blocking phenomenon observed in Kamin's experiment?

CS1 fully predicts the US and thus overshadows CS2. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about 'unblocking' is correct?

Increasing the intensity of the US can allow CS2 to acquire a CER. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'Prediction Error' in the context of learning?

Learning is influenced by the difference between predicted and actual outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What does Conditioned Emotional Response (CER) measure in the context of Kamin's experiment?

Emotional responses such as fear to conditioned stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Kamin's experiment, which of the following correctly describes 'Blocking'?

Previous learning prevents a new CS from acquiring an association with the US. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Rescorla-Wagner model, how much associative strength can a CS acquire?

It can acquire a maximum amount based on the US value. Signup and view all the answers

What change in the experimental design led to the acquisition of a CER for CS2?

Increasing the shock intensity during compound conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Blocking (Kamin's Experiment)

Experimental Setup: Utilized three stimuli: CS1 (Light), CS2 (Noise), and US (Shock).
Control Group Conditioning:
- Combined 8 trials of CS1 and CS2 paired with the US (shock).
- Resulted in a conditioned emotional response (CER) to both stimuli, indicating fear towards light and noise.
Experimental Group Conditioning:
- Phase 1 (Pretraining): Conducted 16 trials of CS1 alone with US, establishing CS1 (light) as a reliable predictor of shock.
- Phase 2 (Compound Conditioning): 8 trials of CS1 paired with CS2 and US.
- Outcome revealed CER only to CS1 (light); CS2 (noise) failed to elicit CER—this exemplifies blocking.
Key Concept of Blocking:
- CS1's prior knowledge of the US (shock) prevented CS2 from forming an association, leading to no CER for noise.
Follow-up Manipulation - Increasing US Intensity:
- Intensifying shock in the compound phase enabled CS2 to acquire some CER, indicating that increased US intensity can "unblock" CS2's potential learning.
Takeaways:
- Blocking: Prior conditioning of CS1 inhibits learning of CS2.
- Prediction Error: CS2 lacked predictive power, resulting in no learning.
- Conditioned Emotional Response (CER): Emotional responses are crucial for measuring learning.
- Unblocking: Enhanced US intensity allows secondary stimuli to associate with the US.

Rescorla-Wagner Model

Key Concepts:
- Learning emerges from prediction errors—the difference between expected and actual outcomes.
- Associative Strength: Represents the bond between CS and US, limited by the US's maximum capacity (denoted as λ).
Model Equation:
- ΔV = α(λ - V)
- ΔV indicates the change in associative strength during conditioning.
- α represents the learning rate—the more salient the stimulus, the faster the learning.
- λ corresponds to the maximum associative strength the US can support.
- V signifies the current associative strength of the CS.
Prediction Error in Learning:
- Greater prediction error (unexpected US) results in increased learning.
- When CS already predicts US effectively, learning is minimal.
Compound Conditioning:
- Total associative strength is divided among multiple CS when paired with a US.
Modified Equation for Compound Conditioning:
- ΔVA = αA(λ − [VA + VB])
- ΔVB = αB(λ − [VA + VB])
- VA and VB denote the associative strength for CS1 and CS2; salience affects how strength is distributed.
Key Effects in Compound Conditioning:
- Overshadowing: More salient stimuli (e.g., louder noises) dominate learning, inhibiting the less salient ones (e.g., dim lights).
- Blocking: CS1's full prior prediction of the US results in CS2 acquiring little to no associative strength.
Summary of Key Learnings:
- Learning is primarily driven by prediction errors; larger errors lead to greater changes in associative strength.
- In compound conditioning, stimuli share associative strength based on salience, impacting overall learning capacity.
- The principles of blocking and overshadowing underscore the significance of prior associations and stimulus prominence in learning outcomes.

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Description

Explore the experimental setup of Kamin's Blocking phenomenon in classical conditioning. This quiz covers the stimuli used, the control group conditioning, and the outcomes related to conditioned emotional responses. Test your understanding of how stimuli pairing influences behavior.