INTERSTIMULUS INTERVAL AND CS DURATION EFFECTS IN DIFFERENTIAL CONDITIONING

Placed 3 groups of 20 undergraduates in a differential conditioning situation under either a short delay, long trace, or long delay paradigm. Increased differentiation was observed across groups but attributed to differing factors. The interstimulus interval was responsible for the acquisition and amount of responding to the positive stimulus. The length of CS presentation was responsible for the acquisition and amount of the inhibitory effects occurring in the presence of the negative stimulus. Time to actively sample the CS determines the ability to inhibit responses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.