Abstract
Previous studies assessing the effects of classical conditioning paradigms on spinal reflex responses have not assessed the possible consequences of simple stimulus overlap on any observed effects. The present study utilized both forward and backward stimulus pairings in a classical conditioning paradigm with the hind-limb flexor-nerve response in the cat to assess the effects of simple stimulus summation on response amplitude. Negative results in the backward groups and increased response amplitude in the forward groups suggested the necessity of CS-US forward pairings for the observed effect. The results are discussed in relation to the predictions of both “stimulus trace” and informational hypotheses for the spinal response system.
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Reference Notes
Durkovic, Russell G. Classical conditioning, sensitization and habituation of the flexion reflex of the spinal cat, in preparation.
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This research was generously supported by Grants T-7274 and T-7374 from the Research Bureau of the American Osteopathic Association and NINDS Grant I-ROl-NS10647 to the author. We wish to express our thanks to Mrs. Pat Kramer for technical assistance.
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Patterson, M.M. Effects of forward and backward classical conditioning procedures on a spinal cat hind-limb flexor nerve response. Psychobiology 3, 86–91 (1975). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03326829
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03326829