Acquisition and Generalization of Conditioned Reward Value

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Abstract
Adult Ss performed a simple spinwheel task to examine 3 questions about effects of associating neutral stimuli with positive or negative events. Data support earlier studies by demonstrating that such associations result in changes in the verbal evaluation of the previously neutral stimulus, as well as changes in Ss' use of those stimuli as cues for solving other problems. More important, however, the effects are not transient and generalize to various kinds of situations. Finally, a discussion concerns the observation that the mere anticipation of an associated positive or negative event is as effective in developing conditioned reward value as is the actual experience of that association.