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Example of Predictability in Conditioning: Consistent vs. Inconsistent Dinner Times
An illustration of predictability in conditioning involves two scenarios. In one, a child named Ari is always served dinner at 6:00 PM. The consistent timing allows 6:00 PM to become a reliable conditioned stimulus (CS) that predicts food (UCS), causing Ari to feel hungry (CR) beforehand. In contrast, another child, Soraya, has a variable dinner schedule. For her, 6:00 PM is not a reliable predictor of dinner, so she is less likely to form a conditioned association between that time and feeling hungry.
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Rescorla-Wagner Model
Example of Predictability in Conditioning: Consistent vs. Inconsistent Dinner Times
Two researchers are training pigeons to peck a key for a food reward. Researcher A's setup delivers a food pellet every single time a green light flashes. Researcher B's setup also flashes a green light before delivering a food pellet, but it also flashes the green light frequently at other times when no food is delivered. After many trials, which outcome is most likely?
A researcher is conducting two separate experiments to condition a rat to freeze in response to a tone. In Experiment A, the tone is sounded for 5 seconds, and a mild electric shock is delivered immediately after the tone ends. This pairing occurs consistently every time. In Experiment B, the tone is also sounded for 5 seconds, but the shock is delivered randomly—sometimes during the tone, sometimes minutes after, and sometimes not at all. Based on the principles of how associations are formed, what is the most likely outcome?