Some unresolved issues in perceptual learning.

Hall, Geoffrey

doi:10.1037/xan0000276

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…In two series of experiments using flavor aversion and appetitive conditioning procedures, Artigas and Prados reported this perceptual learning transfer effect, reinforcing the notion that blocked preexposure triggers learning mechanisms that preserve the salience of the common element X. Some doubts have been cast on this conclusion on the basis that generalization from the highly salient unique features A and B could be generalized to N and Z (e.g., Hall, 2020b). This possibility was cast off in the experiments using aversion conditioning, where the two pairs of stimuli (AB and NZ) belonged to different sensory modalities, flavors and odors (Artigas & Prados, 2014).…”

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confidence: 76%

Mechanisms of perceptual learning: Prolonged intermixed preexposure reduces the effectiveness of the unique and the common elements.

Ballesta¹,

Gordón²,

Prados³

et al. 2021

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cogniti

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In three experiments, rats were given intermixed or blocked preexposure to two similar compound stimuli, AX and BX. In Experiment 1, following preexposure, animals were given appetitive conditioning training with the compound AX. A subsequent generalization test showed better discrimination between AX and BX in the group given intermixed than in the one given blocked preexposure. Experiments 2 and 3 assessed the nature of the learning mechanisms underlying this instance of the perceptual learning effect. Experiment 2 assessed the associability of the common and unique elements (X and A); animals in the group given intermixed preexposure showed poorer conditioning with both the X and the A elements than those given blocked preexposure. Experiment 3 further assessed the perceptual effectiveness of the distinctive element A using a superimposition test (the capacity of A to interfere with the conditioned response commanded by an independent conditioned stimulus). The results showed, in line with the outcome of Experiment 2, that the unique element A is more salient following blocked than intermixed preexposure. These results are discussed by reference to current theories of perceptual learning.

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confidence: 76%

Mechanisms of perceptual learning: Prolonged intermixed preexposure reduces the effectiveness of the unique and the common elements.

Ballesta¹,

Gordón²,

Prados³

et al. 2021

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cogniti

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“…It has been suggested that very closely spaced presentations of AX and BX will allow the formation of a direct associative link between A and B, and this association could facilitate the generalization of the conditioned response on the test, thus obscuring the perceptual learning effect (Honey & Bateson, 1996). Indeed, Recio et al (2019), using a procedure with short ISI preexposure and a generalization test (after preexposure, an aversion was established to AX, and the aversion to BX was then measured), found that the I/B effect was reversed (see also Alonso & Hall, 1999; Hall, 2021; Rodríguez & Alonso, 2008 for a review). Recio et al (2019) explained this paradoxical result in terms of sensory preconditioning between A and B (see also Honey & Bateson, 1996).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intermixed rapid exposure to similar stimuli reduces the effective salience of their distinctive features.

Sánchez

González

Brugada

2023

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cogniti

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Intermixed exposure to two similar stimuli, for example, AX and BX, improves subsequent discrimination between them compared to blocked exposure (the intermixed/blocked effect). Salience modulation models, developed mainly from research with nonhuman animals and exposure to widely spaced similar stimuli, explain this effect in terms of increased salience of the unique elements, A and B. Conversely, the results from experiments initially conducted with humans and exposure to close spaced similar stimuli have led to the suggestion that it is the development of well-unitized representations of unique elements that leads to better discrimination, leaving the unique elements with less effective salience. The experiments carried out here aim to replicate the intermixed/blocked effect in rats using an exposure procedure with rapid succession between stimuli and to assess the effective salience of unique elements. In Experiment 1, an aversion to a new flavor, Y, was conditioned and then an external inhibition test with AY was given. In Experiment 2, an aversion to A was conditioned and its extinction was measured on unreinforced trials. In Experiment 3, an aversion to AY was conditioned and the associated aversion to Y was measured. We found after rapid intermixed preexposure a reduction in generalization from the aversive Y element to the compound AY (Experiment 1) as well as a reduction in A's salience (Experiments 2 and 3) compared to the effects of blocked preexposure. The results are discussed in terms of the various mechanisms underlying perceptual learning, which appear to depend on the details of the task.

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“…It is well established that exposure to AX and BX, particularly when these are presented in an intermixed fashion (e.g., on alternating trials), can promote discrimination between them, as may be demonstrated by establishing a conditioned response (CR) to one stimulus and assessing the extent to which preexposure to the stimuli limits the degree to which this response generalizes to the other. Reduced generalization after intermixed presentations of AX and BX is well established (for reviews see, e.g., Hall, 2021; Mitchell & Hall, 2014).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…We have chosen, however, to concentrate here on the timing of the scheduling of stimulus presentations during preexposure, for the following reasons. It has often been supposed (see, e.g., Hall, 2021, for a brief review) that perceptual learning effects will be sensitive to the extent to which the stimulus preexposure procedure provides an opportunity for comparing the stimuli (Gibson, 1969, pp. 14, 108).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The opportunity to compare similar stimuli can reduce the effectiveness of features they hold in common.

Sánchez¹,

González²,

Hall³

et al. 2023

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cogniti

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In three experiments, rats were given experience of flavored solutions AX and BX, where A and B represent distinctive flavors and X a flavor common to both solutions. In one condition, AX and BX were presented on the same trial separated by a 5-min interval (intermixed preexposure). In another condition, each daily trial consisted of presentations of only AX or only BX (blocked preexposure). The properties acquired by stimulus X were then tested. Experiment 1 showed that after intermixed preexposure X was less able to interfere with a conditioned response established to a different flavor. Experiment 2 showed that X was less effective at overshadowing when trained in compound with another flavor. Simple conditioning, with X as the conditioned stimulus, was not sensitive to the form of preexposure (Experiment 3). These results indicate that the opportunity to compare similar stimuli that is provided by presenting them in close succession can change the properties of features they hold in common, making these features less effective when tested in compound with other stimuli. A loss of effectiveness by such features would contribute to the perceptual learning effect, the enhancement of subsequent discrimination, that is generated by prior exposure to closely spaced similar stimuli.

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Some unresolved issues in perceptual learning.

Cited by 4 publications

References 30 publications

Mechanisms of perceptual learning: Prolonged intermixed preexposure reduces the effectiveness of the unique and the common elements.

Mechanisms of perceptual learning: Prolonged intermixed preexposure reduces the effectiveness of the unique and the common elements.

Intermixed rapid exposure to similar stimuli reduces the effective salience of their distinctive features.

The opportunity to compare similar stimuli can reduce the effectiveness of features they hold in common.

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