Some Acquired Properties of the Backward Cs Paired With Electric Shock as Us (2)

Abstract

This study was a further attempt to mediate the divergent evidences presented about the theme in terms of some experimental variables. 3 x 2 two-factorial design was used in conditioning with variations in CS-US sequence and levels of training. The rats trained thus differently were tested in the identical situation similar to Mowrer and Aiken's (1954) experiment. The distinctive features in test procedure were : (a) making the situation relatively " dangerous " (b) using partial reinforcement. The covariance analysis of the test scores indicated that the remarkable variance relating to the factor of CS-US sequence could be referred solely to the difference between Forward and the others, and the differential effects of conditioning level upon Control and Backward seem to be not conclusive.

Simultaneous and backward fear conditioning as a function of number of CS-UCS pairings.

“…Although Pavlov's usage of the term "inhibition" is not completely clear, it does suggest that CS-UCS pairings late in training may serve to decrease the punishing properties of the CS through the acquisition of conditioned tendencies antagonistic to any excitatory tendencies. Indeed, these pairings may be sufficient to endow the CS with net inhibitory associative strength, as Pavlov suggested (see Nishizawa & Umeoka, 1963, for a similar proposal; also, cf. Wagman & Allen, 1964, for the converse of this).…”