An Analysis of Altering the Value of a Classically Conditioned Predictive Cue

Abstract

Theoretically, predictive cues have a major role in conditioning. Both conditional stimuli and operant responses function in a way which provide information to a subject about what is to occur under a particular set of circumstances. Any available cue will have a particular relationship with any given outcome stimulus (So) based on the probabilities of cooccurrences and non co-occurrences, whereby the resulting predictive value will impact on the behavioral consequences. A stimulus can produce behavioral effects it never caused prior to conditioning. Are those behavioral effects the result of the predictive value of the stimulus alone, or does the motivational value of the stimulus change? Could the resulting behavior be based on some combination of both? The value - both incentive value as well as predictive value - of the predictive cue itself is of significance. Knowing about the manner in which cues are affected will have an effect on how they are used, how they will affect behavior and how they function in applied settings. Despite an abundance of valuable information pertaining to such events, several crucial issues remain to be examined. First, exactly how does the predictive value of the predictive cue influence behavior? Cues which are highly reliable should influence behavior in a very systematic manner. Depending upon the motivational value of the outcome predicted, a consistent approach or withdrawal behavior should be exhibited. Additionally, cues which are unreliable should have less systematic influence on behavior. Since such cues provide no reliable information regarding outcomes, no reliable behavioral consequences should be observed. The present research was designed to separate the predictive and incentive values of the predictive cue itself by examining the behavioral consequences of altering the incentive value of outcome stimuli on the incentive value of the cues that predict them. This design was employed to examine if the relative tendency of the animal to approach or withdraw from any particular predictor changed when the relative tendency to approach or withdraw from the outcome stimulus was altered. The questions specifically investigated were: in regard to a classically conditioned behavioral effect, to what extent does a stimulus retain or take on the initial value of the stimulus it predicts, and to what extent is it based upon the current (altered) value of the stimulus it predicts? The design employed provides a measure of the motivational value of predictive cues relative to the current motivational value of the