Independent and Dependent VariablesPavlovian conditioning integrates spontaneous recovery from excitation. The study aimedto explore underlying learning processes. The dependent variables in the experiment includedthe spontaneous recovery of inhibitory conditioning from training. The independent variablesincluded stimuli that were treated as conditioned inhibitors and conditioned excitors. Time-lapsebetween two treatments was also an important independent variable in the […]
To start, you canIndependent and Dependent Variables
Pavlovian conditioning integrates spontaneous recovery from excitation. The study aimed
to explore underlying learning processes. The dependent variables in the experiment included
the spontaneous recovery of inhibitory conditioning from training. The independent variables
included stimuli that were treated as conditioned inhibitors and conditioned excitors. Time-lapse
between two treatments was also an important independent variable in the experiments.
a.) Did the passage of time after the 2nd treatment allow restoration of the initial
conditioned inhibition?
The results of experiments 1, 2, and 3 showed that when inhibitory training was followed
by opposite training, there was no indication of spontaneous recovery. In experiment one, The
assertion that allowing time to pass after a conditioned inhibitor receives excitatory training will
allow for a retreat in the direction of inhibition is not supported by the findings of the
experiment.
b.) In the introduction, What did the authors say about what is learned during extinction?
The authors note that spontaneous recovery is one of the most captivating observations
that is observed in extinction. The spontaneous observation began with the works of Pavlov, and
observations have been made that the decrement that is associated with extinction disappears at
least partially with a time-lapse. Extinction is associated with the superimposition of new
learning. According to the experiments conducted by Pavlov, extinction results in an inhibitory
learning process. The feature fades away faster compared to the original learning process. The
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result of the fading away is that it produces spontaneous recovery. Authors have explored this
further, and one of the key findings is that the impact of extinction diminishing with time is not
because of inhibition but rather is a result of two competitive associative learning experiences.
The passage of time results in the original learning reasserting itself.
c.) What is the standard design for studying spontaneous recovery from extinction?
The standard design involves the initial excitatory conditioning of a stimulus. The
stimulus is then extinguished and tested after a delay or immediately. Greater responding with
the more delayed test is taken to be a spontaneous delay. The standard test has, however, been
criticized since it involves the study of response at two different intervals of time. The state of
the animal might be different during the two intervals of time, and this would have a bearing on
the results of the experiment. An alternative test has thus been recommended.
d.) In your own words, describe the procedure of Experiment 1.
The experiment involved the use of noise and a clicker. The two were initially trained as
conditioned inhibitors. The training of the two as conditioned inhibitors involved ensuring that
light was arranged as an indication food except when the signal went together with either a noise
or a clicker. One of the auditory stimuli was then paired with food. After the passage of time, the
other auditory stimuli were also paired with food. The experiment then involved the testing of
the two auditory stimuli alone and when associated with light. The aim was to reveal whether a
time-lapse between excitatory training and the test would have a bearing on the stimulus’
inhibitory state.
e.) What was the goal of Experiment 4.
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The findings of experiments 1,2, and 3 indicated that there was no evidence of
spontaneous recovery in instances where inhibitory training was followed by contrary training.
Experiment 4 aimed at investigating the extent to which performance declines to the first of two
experiences when the first instance is either inhibitory or excitatory training.
f.) What were the results of experiment 4 in relation to the first three experiments.
The experiment showed that there was no evidence of spontaneous recovery after
inhibition. The evidence was similar to the findings in experiments 1,2 and 3. The findings
indicate that recovery is not just the restoration of the first two contrary learning but a special
feature of extinction.
g.) Provide a few summary sentences on the General Discussion.
The findings of the experiment suggest that certain changes occur when time lapses
between stimuli associated with different learning experiences, following an initial excitatory
and inhibitory conditioning. When a stimulus is subjected to nonreinforcement and time lapses,
spontaneous recovery of prior excitatory learning was observed. In contrast, when a stimulus was
treated to reinforcement and then time passed, no indication of spontaneous recovery of past
inhibitory learning was identified. The finding is consistent with Pavlov’s indication that
learning in extinction is subject to certain temporal instability.
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