Abstract
Two different problems were investigated using the GSR index of the orienting reflex (OR): 1) the locus of semantic generalization: and 2) a possible inhibitory influence of the CS upon the UCR. Two experiments were conducted. One experiment employed an innocuous USC, and a second similar experiment used a loud noise as the UCS. Unidirectional word associates were employed in the test of the direction of semantic generalization. Constant and varying CS words were used to test the possible inhibitory influence of the CS upon the UCR. Evidence was obtained of semantic generalization occurring in the training and in the test situation. There was no evidence of the CS developing inhibition over the UCR. Theoretical interpretations of both phenomena were considered. The need for developing theories of conditioning of the OR in humans was emphasized in contrast to current efforts to apply inappropriate cognitive animal learning theories which fail to consider biologic constraints.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anokhin, P. K. (1974)Biology and Neurophysiology of the Conditioned Reflex and Its Role in Adaptive Behavior. Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Bolles, R. C., and Fanselow, M. S. (1980) A perceptual-defensive-recuperative model of fear and pain.The Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3, 291–323.
Brotsky, S. J. (1968) Classical conditioning of the galvanic skin response to verbal concepts.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 76, 244–253.
Brotsky, S. J., and Keller, W. H. (1971) Semantic conditioning and generalization of the galvanic skin response: Locus of mediation in classical conditioning.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 89, 383–389.
Davey, G. C. L. and Singh, J. (1988). The Kamin “blocking” effect and electrodermal conditioning in humans.Journal of Psychophysiology, 2, 17–25.
Dawson, M. E., and Schell, A. M. (1985) Information processing and human autonomic classical conditioning. In P. K. Ackles, J. R. Jennings, and M. G. H. Coles (Eds.),Advances in Psychophysiology, Volume 1. Greenwich, Connecticut: JAI Press, pp. 89–165.
Fanselow, M. S., and Tighe, T. J. (1988) Contextual conditioning with massed versus distributed unconditional stimuli in the absence of explicit conditional stimuli.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 14, 187–199.
Kimble, G. A. (1971) Cognitive inhibition in classical conditioning. In H. H. Kendler and J. T. Spence (Eds.),Essays in Neobehaviorism: A Memorial Volume to Kenneth W. Spence. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, pp. 69–87.
Kimble, G. A., and Ost, J. W. P. (1961) A conditioned inhibitory process in eyelid conditioning.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 61, 150–156.
Kimmel, H. D. (1959) Amount of conditioning and intensity of conditioned stimulus.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 58, 283–288.
Kimmel, H. D. (1965) Instrumental inhibitory factors in classical conditioning. In W. F. Prokasy (Ed.),Classical Conditioning: A Symposium. New York: Appleton-Centruy-Crofts; pp. 148–171.
Kurcz, I. (1964) Semantic and phonetographic generalization of a voluntary response.Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 3, 261–268.
Lester, L. S., and Fanselow, M. S. (1985) Exposure to a cat produces opioid analgesia in rats.Behavioral Neuroscience, 99, 756–759.
Maltzman, I. (1968) Theoretical conceptions of semantic conditioning and generalization. In T. Dixon and D. Horton (Eds.),Theories of Verbal Behavior and General Behavior Theory. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall; pp. 291–339.
Maltzman, I. (1977) Orienting in classical conditioning and generalization of the GSR to words: An overview.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 106, 111–119.
Maltzman, I. (1987) A neo-Pavlovian interpretation of the OR and classical conditioning in humans: With comments on alcoholism and the poverty of cognitive psychology. In G. Davey (Ed.),Cognitive Processes and Pavlovian Conditioning in Humans. Chichester: John Wiley; pp. 211–249.
Maltzman, I. (1990) The OR and significance.Pavlovian Journal of Biological Science (in press).
Maltzman, I., and Belloni, M. (1964) Three studies of semantic generalization.Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 3, 231–235.
Maltzman, I., Langdon, B., and Feeney, D. (1970) Semantic generalization without prior conditioning.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 83, 73–75.
Maltzman, I., Langdon, B., Pendery, M., and Wolff, C. (1977a). The GSR orienting reflex and semantic conditioning and generalization with different unconditioned stimuli.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 106, 141–171.
Maltzman, I., Gould, J., Barnett, O. J., Raskin, D. C., and Wolff, C. (1977b) Classically conditioning components of the orienting reflex to words using an innocuous and a noxious UCS under different CS-UCS intervals.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 106, 185–212.
Maltzman, I., Raskin, D. C., and Wolff, C. (1979) Latent inhibition of the GSR conditioned to words.Physiological Psychology, 7, 193–203.
Mink, W. D. (1957) Semantic generalization as related to word association. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Minnesota. Technical Report No. 17, Contract N8 ONR-66216.
Mink, W. D. (1963) Semantic generalization as related to word association.Psychological Reports, 12, 59–67.
Packer, J. S., and Siddle, D. A. T. (1987) The effects of signal value on short- and long-term habituation.Biological Psychology, 24, 261–273.
Pavlovskaya, A. A., and Rudenko, L. P. (1964) Effect of conditioned reflexes on unconditioned ones in a normal state and during functional disorders of higher nervous activity.Works of the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity: Physiological Series, 7, 194–209 (OTS 73–11193).
Pavlovskaya, A. A., Mekhedova, A. Y., and Rudenko, L. P. (1962) Interaction of conditioned and unconditioned secretory alimentary reflexes.Works of the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity: Physiological Series, 5, 88–101 (OTS 61–31020).
Pendery, M., and Maltzman, I. (1977) Instructions and the orienting reflex in “semantic conditioning” of the GSR in an innocuous situation.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 106, 120–140.
Razran, G. (1949) Semantic and phonetographic generalization of salivary conditioning to verbal stimuli.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 39, 642–652.
Razran, G. (1957) The dominance-contiguity theory of the acquisition of classical conditioning.Psychological Bulletin, 54, 1–46.
Siegfried, B., Netto, C. A., and Izquierdo, I. (1987) Exposure to novelty induces naltrexone-reversible analgesia in rats.Behavioral Neuroscience, 101, 436–438.
Sokolov, E. N. (1960) Neuronal models and the orienting reflex. In M. A. B. Brazier (Ed.),The Central Nervous System and Behavior (3rd conference). New York: Josiah Macy Jr Foundation; pp. 187–276.
Sokolov, E. N. (1963).Perception and the Conditioned Reflex. New York: Macmillan.
Solomon, R. L., and Corbit, J. D. (1974) An opponent-process theory of motivation: I. The temporal dynamics of affect.Psychological Review, 81, 119–145.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978)Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported in part by University Grant 1322.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maltzman, I. Locus of semantic generalization of the galvanic skin response and possible inhibitory influence of conditional stimuli upon unconditional response following conditioning with innocuous and noxious unconditional stimuli. Pav. J. Biol. Sci. 25, 63–76 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02964605
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02964605