A model for Pavlovian learning: Variations in the effectiveness of conditioned but not of unconditioned stimuli.

A new model is proposed that deals with the explanation of cases in which learning does not occur in spite of the fact that the conditioned stimulus is a signal for the reinforcer by specifying that certain procedures cause a conditioned stimulus to lose effectiveness.

Abstract

Several formal models of excitatory classical conditioning are reviewed. It is suggested that a central problem for all of them is the explanation of cases in which learning does not occur in spite of the fact that the conditioned stimulus is a signal for the reinforcer. We propose a new model that deals with this problem by specifying that certain procedures cause a conditioned stimulus (CS) to lose effectiveness; in particular, we argue that a CS will lose associability when its consequences are accurately predicted. In contrast to other current models, the effectiveness of the reinforcer remains constant throughout conditioning. The second part of the article presents a reformulation of the nature of the learning produced by inhibitory-conditioning procedures and a discussion of the way in which such learning can be accommodated within the model outlined for excitatory learning.