Operant Conditioning of the Human Pupillary Response Using Verbal Reinforcement.

Abstract

The involuntary human response of pupillary dilation was operantly conditioned in three male subjects using verbal reinforcement. The experimental design utilized was to establish a base line (normal) response rate, and then to compare this rate with subsequent reinforcement and nonreinforcement periods. Learning curves showed that the pupillary response was conditioned to dilate during the periods of reinforcement, and constrict during the nonreinforcement periods. The results were interpreted as further evidence against traditional theories stating that involuntary (autonomic) responses can only be classically conditioned. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0728195

Entities

People

  • David L. Payne
  • Dirk C. Prather
  • Gene A. Berry

Organizations

  • United States Air Force Academy

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Base Lines
  • Data Science
  • Experimental Design
  • Information Science
  • Learning

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.
  • Neuroscience