Stimulus generalization as a function of UCS intensity in eyelid conditioning.

Abstract

This study investigated the interaction between drive level and original and generalized stimulus conditions during extinction. One hundred Ss were first conditioned for 80 trials to respond to a .6-psi air puff on an 80% reinforcement schedule with a CS of 1500 cps. The Ss were then divided into four groups which were extinguished with either a 1500- or 400-cps tone and a .33- or 2.0-psi air puff. On all nonreinforced trials during acquisition and extinction the UCS was presented, but 2500 msec. after the CS. The results confirmed (P<.05 for Extinction Trials 1-40) the hypothesized interaction between drive level and original and generalized stimulus conditions predicted by Hull-Spence theory. The effect was not significant over Trials 1-10 or 1-20.