Abstract
Notions about the influence of environmental context on behavior are briefly reviewed and criticized. In contrast to the traditional view that a context is merely a compound CS, to be treated in learning theory in much the same way as simple CSs, we propose that contexts are superordinate to such CSs. Within this hierarchical relation, a context both contains and predicts CSs. This approach to environmental context derives from cognitive map theory (O’Keefe & Nadel, 1978), and predictions based on that theory and the present extension are offered for several conditioning paradigms.
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This paper is the result of prolonged collaboration aimed at developing an approach to context couched within the framework of the O’Keefe/Nadel (1978) cognitive map theory. It was a truly joint effort. We thank W. K. Honig, W. J. Jacobs, V. M. LoLordo, A. Randich, and other members of the animal learning group at Dalhousie University for their stimulating conversations and company, which contributed to all the good ideas herein, but (of course) none of the bad. We also thank J. O’Keefe and A. H. Black for early discussion of some of these issues. Our work on this paper was supported by grants from NSERC (L. Nadel), NATO (A. H. Black), NSERC (W. K. Honig), and Dalhousie University. L. Nade’s current address: 588 Estrelita Drive, Vista, California 92083. Reprints may be obtained from either author.
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Nadel, L., Willner, J. Context and conditioning: A place for space. Psychobiology 8, 218–228 (1980). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332853
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332853