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PubMed · 10881607

Stimulus exposure effects in human associative learning.

C E Myers·L M Oliver·S G Warren·M A Gluck
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Abstract

Learning that one cue (CS) predicts a second, salient cue (US) can often be slowed by prior exposure to one or both stimuli. In animals, CS-US learning is more strongly retarded following uncorrelated exposure to both CS and US than following exposure to the US alone. In this paper we present several studies showing a similar effect in humans, using a computer-based task. Experiments 1 and 2 used a between-groups design and demonstrated a strong CS/US exposure effect, whether or not the US was signalled by a neutral cue during exposure. Experiment 3 demonstrated similar effects using a within-subjects design. Overall, these results are consistent with several theoretical interpretations and suggest that uncorrelated CS/US exposure leads to a robust retardation of subsequent CS-US learning in humans.

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Acoustic StimulationAdolescentAdultAssociation LearningConditioning, PsychologicalCuesFemaleHumansInhibition, PsychologicalMaleModels, PsychologicalPhotic StimulationPractice, PsychologicalJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

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C E Myers, L M Oliver, S G Warren, M A Gluck. 2000. Stimulus exposure effects in human associative learning.. https://doi.org/10.1080/713932721

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