Animal Behaviour - Overshadowing and Blocking
Successful conditioning depends on two key factors: the unconditioned stimulus (US) must be meaningful or relevant to the individual, and the conditioned stimulus (CS) must capture the animal’s attention. Without these, learning may be weak or fail altogether.
What is successful conditioning dependent on?
The US mattering to the individual
The CS receiving attention
Key Terms
What is successful conditioning dependent on?
The US mattering to the individual
The CS receiving attention
What is the name of the model associated with CS/US pairing strength?
Rescorla-Wagner Model
Is the Rescorla-Wagner model based on neural activity?
No - just descriptive, reflecting occurrences in empirical data.
Describe the Rescorla-Wagner model.
Repeated parring of an US and CS -> gradual increase in strength of association
Growth continues until associative strength is equal to th...
What is the equation of the Rescorla-Wagner Model?
Difference in V = a (L-V)
Where V = current CS-US association strength
Difference in V = change in strength on a given trial
Lamb...
What is the value of V on the first experience of an US?
0
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is successful conditioning dependent on? | The US mattering to the individual The CS receiving attention |
What is the name of the model associated with CS/US pairing strength? | Rescorla-Wagner Model |
Is the Rescorla-Wagner model based on neural activity? | No - just descriptive, reflecting occurrences in empirical data. |
Describe the Rescorla-Wagner model. | Repeated parring of an US and CS -> gradual increase in strength of association Growth continues until associative strength is equal to the magnitude of the value of US Rate of growth is determined by difference between current associative strength of CS and maximum possible based on US value - difference will be large to begin but gradually decrease |
What is the equation of the Rescorla-Wagner Model? | Difference in V = a (L-V) Where V = current CS-US association strength Difference in V = change in strength on a given trial Lamba = set by magnitude of US - reflects maximum strength CS-US association can achieve Alpha = salience of CS (0->1) |
What is the value of V on the first experience of an US? | 0 |
What is overshadowing. When does it occur? | Occurs when 2 stimuli are presented together rather than sequentially Conditioning will cease when the combined associative strength = Lambda Therefore the presence of one CS overshadows learning the meaning of the other, and response shown to one element on its own will not be as strong. |
What is blocking? Give an eg. of a study. | Association already formed (Lambda = 100) so providing an additional CS does not get learned. eg. Kamin 1969 Group 1 learns Noise predicts Shock, then presented with Light and Noise, then Light alone Group 2 learns Light and noise predict shock, then light alone. Only Group 2 show suppression of behaviour to avoid the shock |
What is another term for conditioned suppression? | Conditioned Emotional Response |
What is conditioned suppression? | Animal trained to perform operant response to obtain food - Pair a stimulus with onset of shock |
What is the suppression ratio? | a/(a+b) where a = rate of level pressing during CS (warning tone etc.) b = rate of level pressing prior to CS SO ratio of 0.5 indicates no suppression (continuation of normal behaviour) |
What is most important in pairing US and CS? | Contingency NOT contiguity |