Determinants of cue interactions

Abstract

In a Pavlovian conditioning situation, there are many training variables that may affect responding to a conditioned stimulus (CS), such as contiguity, contingency, and the presence of other CSs. This review describes recent experiments that show that some manipulations that usually decrease responding to a CS may have the opposite effect when they are combined with other normally pernicious manipulations. A theoretical framework that explains these so-called counteraction effects is provided. The apparent boundary conditions on the effects and limitations of the theory are discussed.

Fig. 1

The comparator hypothesis. Boxes represent observable events (i.e., stimulus and response). Ovals represent mental representations of stimuli. The diamond represents the comparator process.

Fig. 2

The extended comparator hypothesis applied to CS preexposure followed response). Ovals represent mental representations of stimuli. Diamonds represent comparator processes.