Ivanov-Smolensky conditioning: Relationship between CR and UR form and intensity

Abstract

The Ivanov-Smolensky conditioning procedure involves a CS followed by a command (US). There are two URs—an instructed UR and a reflexive UR such as an autonomic reaction. Anticipatory responses during the CS, of either the instructed or reflexive UR, provide a measure of conditioning. We examined whether the reflexive CR and UR are similar in form, and whether larger reflexive CRs and URs are associated with larger instructed URs. Subjects were asked to exhale “quickly and powerfully” (exhalation was thus the instructed UR) either following (Forward) or prior to (Backward) a light CS; a change in heart rate to the CS (reflexive CR) alone was the index of conditioning. The heart rate CR and UR were both deceleratory in nature, although the onset of the CR was faster than the UR. In addition. Backward-conditioned subjects demonstrated some degree of inhibitory control by the CS. Finally, the CR intensity was inversely related to exhalation magnitude.