Temporal Duration as a Dimension in Generalization of the Orienting Response

Abstract

Generalization of habituation of the orienting response may be accounted for in two ways. One of these proposes that the response is generated when an incoming stimulus does not match a neuronal model established by previous stimulation. The other view proposes that habituation of the orienting response comes about by classically conditioning an inhibitory response to stimulus onset. Both positions predict generalization of habituation of the orienting response along various dimensions. However, the neuronal model theory predicts generalization along the dimension of stimulus duration, while the conditioned inhibition theory does not. 8 Ss were habituated to a 4.4-sec. tone and tested on tones of 0.4, 2.4, 6.4, and 8.4 sec. It was found that 0.4-and 2.4-sec. tones produced smaller orienting responses than 6.4- and 8.4-sec. tones. This outcome did not appear to be that of generalization of habituation of the response. It, in fact, was identical to what was predicted on the basis of conditioned inhibition theory.