A general hypothesis of associative learning should be based on the broadest possible foundation of empirical evidence, including confirmation in both aversive and appetitive situations. For this reason the present experiment was designed to test the surprise hypothesis using a procedure in which the unconditioned stimulus was the presentation of…

Three experiments examined predictions generated by incorporating a common-elements account of stimulus generalization within the Rescoral-Wagner model of conditioning. (Editor)

Two experiments were conducted with rats to investigate variables responsible for the effectiveness of using a safe platform in two-way avoidance training and to evaluate the relative efficacy of several theoretical positions (conflict reduction, reinforcement, and freezing attenuation) that were offered to explain the wide differences in…

There has been considerable interest lately in cases where instrumental conditionability appears to depend on the reinforcer used. Here the effects of Pavlovian conditioned stimuli (CSs)on golden hamster behaviors was observed. The intent was to see whether previously reported differences among the behaviors produced by food reinforcement and…

Briefly discusses the views of Claude Levi-Strauss and Robert Ardrey who cite Rousseau as a personal influence even though they hold opposing anthropological ideals. The author claims that this situation is due to misinterpretations of Rousseau's work. An interpretation of Rousseau's anthropology is given reconciling the differences. (BC)

The learning of backward associations by pigeons during training of forward associations was studied in three experiments using a symbolic matching task. The data are contrasted with the strong evidence of learning of backward associations by humans. (Editor/RK)

Experimenters in the past have reported that when insulin is used as the unconditioned stimulus (US), rats will learn an aversion to a sodium chloride but not a sucrose solution, whereas with formalin as the US, they will learn an aversion to a sucrose but not a saline solution. The present experiments failed to confirm these findings. (Editor)

These experiments investigate the degree to which neophobia, the reluctance to consume novel food, can be modified by toxicosis, the conditions under which the contingency between ingestion and illness enhances neophobia, and the manner in which previously learned aversions mediate subsequent enhanced neophobia. (Author/RK)

These experiments investigate situations in which a negative correlation involves a 24 hour delay between the occurrence of a conditioned stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus; they also investigate the mechanism by which any inhibition so produced might occur. (Author/RK)

The study evaluated the effectiveness of superimposition and subsequent removal of a schedule of continuous reinforcement (CRF) as a rate-decreasing procedure in efforts to eliminate unwanted behaviors. Examination of lever-pressing patterns of eight male rats showed responding was substantially reduced during the superimposition of CRF but…

Tests the hypothesis that the effectiveness of discriminative stimuli as reinforcers is a function of the magnitude of the difference between them. (Author/RK)

This teacher's guide is based on "DragonflyTV" investigations which focus on real kids doing inquiry-based science investigations. Activities include: (1) "Investigation To Explore Skateboards"; (2) "Investigations To Explore Otters"; and (3) "Investigations To Explore Waterslides." (YDS)

This 23-minute videotape for grades 5-8, presents the myriad of animal life that exists on the planet. Students can view and perform experiments and investigations that help explain animal traits and habits. Students find out about the world of amphibians as they examine their physical characteristics, environments, and life cycles, as well as…

This 23-minute videotape for grades 5-8, presents the myriad of animal life that exists on the planet. Students can view and perform experiments and investigations that help explain animal traits and habits. No organism on Earth can exist independently. Students find out more about animal relationships such as predator/prey relationships and…

This 23-minute videotape for grades 5-8, presents the myriad of animal life that exists on the planet. Students can view and perform experiments and investigations that help explain animal traits and habits. The food chain provides a clear example of how life continues year after year. Students learn how the cycle of energy starts with the sun,…