The influence of attitude on the conditioned eyelid response.

Abstract

Conditioned eyelid responses were obtained from 16 subjects, using light as the conditioned stimulus and a puff of air to the cornea as the unconditioned stimulus. Movements of the eyelid were recorded by an adaptation of the Dodge photochronograph. The subjects were divided into an active and a passive group on the basis of instructions to maintain an active or a passive attitude toward the onset of the conditioned stimulus. All subjects reported that their conditioned eyelid responses were involuntary. The majority of the subjects reported a mounting expectation of the air-puff during each trial, and this resulted in an impulse to close the eye. The initial conditioned responses were obtained at an earlier trial on the avg. with the active group than with the passive group. Conditioned responses occurred more frequently in the active group. Conditioning was more stable in the active group. The average amplitude of the conditioned responses was greater in the active group. The average latency of the conditioned responses was lower in the active group, but this trend was not uniform during the entire reinforcement series.