Abstract
In two experiments, rats received preexposure to three compound flavor stimuli, AX, BX, and CX, where X represents a saline solution. AX and BX were presented in alternation; CX, on a separate block of trials. The value of X was then modified, being devalued by aversive conditioning in Experiment 1, and rendered valuable by the induction of a state of salt need in Experiment 2. When given a choice between BX and CX, the rats consumed more of BX than of CX in Experiment 1, and more of CX than of BX in Experiment 2, suggesting that B and C differed in their ability to modulate the response governed by the X element. It was suggested that blocked preexposure to CX reduces the salience of the C stimulus but that the salience of B is maintained by preexposure in which BX is alternated with AX. The implications of this result for the phenomenon of perceptual learning are discussed.
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This work was supported by a studentship from the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council to Chris Blair. We thank C. Bonardi, E. Mondragón, and M. Symonds for helpful discussion.
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Blair, C.A.J., Hall, G. Changes in stimulus salience as a result of stimulus preexposure: Evidence from aversive and appetitive testing procedures. Animal Learning & Behavior 31, 185–191 (2003). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195981
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195981