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Within-trial Contrast: An Examination of the Conditioning Effects of Differentially Preferred Events on Antecedent and Consequent Stimuli

Meindl, James Nicholson
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1309200856

Abstract Details

2011, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, EDU Physical Activity and Educational Services.
Stimuli that precede aversive events are typically less preferred than stimuli that precede non-aversive events. Stimuli that follow aversive events, however, may become more preferred than stimuli that follow non-aversive events. This effect has been called within-trial contrast (or alternatively, state-dependent valuation). Research on this effect has primarily been conducted with non-human organisms. In previous research, organisms are presented with an antecedent stimulus which leads into one of two differentially preferred work events. Subsequent to these work events, a consequent event is presented—either another stimulus or a discrimination task. The results of previous research have demonstrated an increase in preference for the stimuli that follow the less preferred work event. However, previous research has rarely documented preferences for the antecedent stimuli, consequent stimuli, or work events prior to training with all stimuli and events. Furthermore, although a change in preference has been documented, it is unclear whether these preference changes also represent a change in reinforcer efficacy. This study attempted to replicate previous research by examining changes in preference for stimuli that occur subsequent to differentially preferred events. In addition, this study extended previous research by (a) measuring preference for work events before training, (b) examining preference changes for antecedent stimuli in addition to consequent stimuli, (c) assessing preference for all stimuli and work events both before and after training, and (d) assessing whether consequent stimuli were differentially conditioned as reinforcers. Three young boys with disabilities participated in this study. The results indicate that for all participants, antecedent stimuli were conditioned as expected—stimuli were more preferred when they led into more preferred work events. The within-trial contrast effect, however, was only clearly demonstrated for one participant. Furthermore, increases in preference for consequent stimuli were not consistently correlated with increases in reinforcer efficacy. The results are discussed and explanations provided to account for the different conditioning effects. Limitations of this study are provided as are directions for future research.
Nancy Neef, PhD (Advisor)
William Heward, PhD (Committee Member)
Helen Cannella-Malone, PhD (Committee Member)
152 p.
Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences
within-trial contrast; contrast; preference; conditioned reinforcers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Meindl, J. N. (2011). Within-trial Contrast: An Examination of the Conditioning Effects of Differentially Preferred Events on Antecedent and Consequent Stimuli [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1309200856

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Meindl, James. Within-trial Contrast: An Examination of the Conditioning Effects of Differentially Preferred Events on Antecedent and Consequent Stimuli. 2011. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1309200856.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Meindl, James. "Within-trial Contrast: An Examination of the Conditioning Effects of Differentially Preferred Events on Antecedent and Consequent Stimuli." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1309200856

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.