PSYC 3450 Lecture 8: 34406_AndreanoJoseph_02.17.17
10 Mar 2017
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Aversive learning: our discussion so far has been focused on positive reinforcement; learning to work towards the attainment of some desired goal, but animals also learn and derive strong motivations from aversive experiences. In another standard escape paradigm, a rat is in an electrified shock box, and can terminate the shock by pressing a bar. In this case, conditioning is measured by latency to bar-press. Features: escape conditioning, like most aversive learning, typically involves instrumental, rather than operant training. This is because animals will typically not self-initiate an aversive trial: escape conditioning is typically very rapidly acquired. With a sufficient shock it is often one-trial learning. Intensity of aversive event: a more aversive event will drive faster conditioning. Intensity of aversive event: events that are more aversive will produce more intense escape responses, as the voltage applied in the aversive chamber increases, the running speed of escape behavior increases.
