Summation and retardation test performance following extinction or Pavlovian conditioned inhibition training

Abstract

There is evidence that both Pavlovian conditioned inhibition training and CS-alone extinction trials result in a CS that passes a summation and retardation test. The present experiments compared the extent that these two procedures produced a CS that could pass these tests. Such a comparison could provide insight into the kind of inhibitory learning that results, specifically whether two CSs on the nonreinforced trials compete for the acquisition of inhibitory learning. Very little evidence of competition for inhibitory learning has been obtained in previously published studies. Evidence consistent with more inhibition occurring using the Pavlovian CI procedure than extinction was obtained.