Exploring the Effect of Stimulus Similarity on the Summation Effect in Causal Learning

Experimental Psychology
Omar D PérezFabian A Soto

Abstract

Several contemporary models anticipate that the summation effect is modulated by the similarity between the cues forming a compound. Here, we explore this hypothesis in a series of causal learning experiments. Participants were presented with two visual cues that separately predicted a common outcome and later asked for the outcome predicted by the compound of the two cues. Similarity was varied between groups through changes in shape, spatial position, color, configuration, and rotation. In variance with the predictions of these models, we observed similar and strong levels of summation in both groups across all manipulations of similarity. The effect, however, was significantly reduced by manipulations intended to impact assumptions about the causal independence of the cues forming the compound, but this reduction was independent of stimulus similarity. These results are problematic for similarity-based models and can be more readily explained by rational approaches to causal learning.

References

Jan 1, 1976·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Animal Behavior Processes·R A Rescorla
Apr 1, 1992·Psychological Review·P W Cheng, L R Novick
Jan 1, 1987·Psychological Review·J M Pearce
Mar 1, 2002·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Animal Behavior Processes·Peter F Lovibond, David R Shanks
Jun 22, 2002·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. B, Comparative and Physiological Psychology·Steven Glautier
Oct 24, 2002·Animal Learning & Behavior·I P L McLaren, N J Mackintosh
Mar 8, 2003·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. B, Comparative and Physiological Psychology·Allan R Wagner
Apr 18, 2003·Memory & Cognition·Peter E LovibondRussell Frohardt
May 6, 2003·Behavioural Processes·Susan E. BrandonAllan R. Wagner
Jun 25, 2003·Psychophysiology·Annette Kinder, Harald Lachnit
Oct 30, 2004·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. B, Comparative and Physiological Psychology·Evan J Livesey, Robert A Boakes
Mar 10, 2005·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition·Tom BeckersRalph R Miller
Jun 24, 2006·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Aaron C CourvilleDavid S Touretzky
Jun 29, 2006·Psychological Review·Justin A Harris
Jul 29, 2006·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Darrell J Collins, David R Shanks
Jan 27, 2007·Journal of Neuroscience Methods·Jonathan W Peirce
Sep 14, 2007·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Edward S Redhead
Nov 23, 2007·Behavioural Processes·Klaus G MelchersHarald Lachnit
Feb 6, 2008·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Animal Behavior Processes·Thida TheinJustin A Harris
Jul 9, 2008·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Mieke DeclercqFrank Baeyens
Aug 8, 2008·Learning & Behavior·Allan R Wagner
Dec 3, 2008·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Fabian A SotoAllan R Wagner
Apr 24, 2009·The Behavioral and Brain Sciences·Chris J MitchellPeter F Lovibond
Jul 7, 2009·Annual Review of Psychology·David R Shanks
Jan 13, 2010·Learning & Behavior·Justin A Harris, Evan J Livesey
Feb 25, 2010·Experimental Psychology·Steven GlautierHarald Lachnit
May 5, 2010·Psychological Review·Fabian A Soto, Edward A Wasserman
Dec 4, 2010·Annual Review of Psychology·Keith J Holyoak, Patricia W Cheng
Jan 1, 2010·Cognitive Science·Christopher G Lucas, Thomas L Griffiths
Jul 27, 2011·Psychological Methods·Richard D Morey, Jeffrey N Rouder
Apr 24, 2015·Cognitive Science·Hongjing LuAlan L Yuille
Feb 26, 2016·Psychological Science·Gabrielle WeidemannPeter F Lovibond

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

RStudio
nlme
R
Psychopy

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.