GENERALIZATION OF LATENT INHIBITION

Determined whether latent inhibition (the deleterious effects of preconditioning exposure to the CS on subsequent acquisition) exhibits stimulus generalization. Following 1300 exposures to a CS of a certain tonal frequency, 26 naive male New Zealand white rabbits were given classical eyelid conditioning to auditory CSs of various tonal frequencies, 1 of which was the same value as the CS presented prior to acquisition. Compared with a control group, which received no preconditioning CS exposures, these preexposed Ss evidenced slowest acquisition to the CS of the same tonal frequency to which they were exposed prior to conditioning, with more rapid conditioning to CS values further removed from this preexposed value. Thus, latent inhibition evidences stimulus generalization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.