Abstract
Twenty male rats were trained to bar-press for food reinforcement. One group (N = 10) received paired presentations of white noise and light (sensory preconditioning), while the other (N = 10) received only noise presentations. A conditioned emotional response was established to the light in both groups. Finally, generalization tests of this response were conducted. Only the group that received sensory preconditioning exhibited transfer of the conditioned emotional response.
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This study is based in part on a Thesis submitted by the author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.A. degree at the University of California, Davis, and was supported in part by National Science Foundation Grant GB-3328 awarded to G. Bermant. Members of the Thesis Committee were G. Bermant and D. Lott with T. Parks serving as Chairman. The author is indebted to M. H. Kellicutt for technical guidance throughout the experiment.
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Parkinson, S.R. Sensory preconditioning of a conditioned emotional response. Psychon Sci 11, 119 (1968). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328165
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03328165