Learning and performance in eyelid conditioning as a function of intensity of the UCS.

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Abstract
A factorial type expt. was conducted to investigate the question as to whether a difference in the intensity of the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) (air puff) during a first training period would lead to differences in the level of eyelid conditioning in a second period in which intensity of the UCS was controlled. During the first experimental period of 30 trials 80 subjects, divided randomly into two equal groups, were conditioned. One group was conditioned with a weak UCS and the other with a strong UCS. In a second training period given on the following day the two groups were each divided into two subgroups with half of the subjects continuing with the same UCS and half being switched to the other intensity. Analysis of variance of the frequency of CR''s in the first 20 trials of the second period revealed that there were significant differences in performance in relation both to the intensities of UCS employed in the first period and also in relation to that used in the second period. The fact that response level varied with the intensity of the UCS employed on Day 1 was interpreted as in accord with Hull''s theory that the increment of habit strength is a function of the amount of primary drive reduction. The finding that the level of CR varied with the intensity of the UCS at the time of measurement on Day 2 was taken as a reflection of difference in drive level (D). Other possible interpretations not involving the principle of reinforcement were also suggested.
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