Properties Of Simultaneous Discrete Occasion Setters

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Ian R. Jacobs (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
James Denniston

Abstract: This series of experiments used 80 to 120 day old water-deprived rats (Rattus norvegicus) to investigate whether simultaneously presented discrete occasion setters shared two properties of serially presented discrete occasion setters. Results of Experiment 1 revealed that all groups showed a strong reinstatement effect. In the second experiment a target stimulus was first trained as a predictor of shock and then paired with a simultaneously presented occasion setter to inhibit responding to the target stimulus. The occasion setter was then paired with a shock. Due to a limitation of the procedures, results from Experiment 2 were inconclusive. The third experiment tested whether simultaneously presented occasion setters would only transfer to other targets that underwent occasion setting training. Results from Experiment 3 revealed strong contextual control over behavior that overshadowed the ability of the features to modulate responding to the targets. A fourth experiment addressed limitations from Experiment 3. Results from Experiment 4 revealed that simultaneous discrete occasion setters were unable to transfer to another target stimulus. Overall results from this experiment indicate that simultaneously presented cues do not act as occasion setters.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Jacobs, I. (2016). Properties Of Simultaneous Discrete Occasion Setters. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2016
Keywords
Animal learning, Occasion setting, Sources of relapse, Transfer effects, Phasic

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