Comparator theories of classical conditioning state that animals compare
A)the intensities of different CSs
B)the intensities of different USs
C)the probability of a US in the presence and absence of a CS
D)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Comparator theories propose that animals learn the predictive relationship between a CS and a US by comparing the probability of the US occurring in the presence and absence of the CS. This means that animals use the CS to make a prediction about the likelihood of the US occurring, based on their past experience with the two stimuli. They compare the probability of the US in the CS+ trials (when the CS is present) with the probability of the US in the CS- trials (when the CS is absent), and adjust their behavior accordingly. Comparing the intensity of CSs or USs is not a central component of comparator theories.

Comparator Theories of Classical Conditioning State That Animals Compare