Reversal of conditioned discrimination of the eyelid response.

Abstract

40 human subjects were given 60 differential trials, 1/2 with the positive stimulus, 1/2 with the negative, using the eyelid conditional response to light based on the reflex wink to an air puff. Following differential training 30 additional trials were given, and for 1/2 of the subjects the positive and negative stimuli were reversed. Good discrimination and discrimination reversal were obtained, although not as rapid as in an analogous verbal conditioning situation. Reversal from negative to positive conditional stimuli was not as complete as reversal from positive to negative.