Bending rules: the shape of the perceptual generalisation gradient is sensitive to inference rules. Issue 7 (3rd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boddez, Yannick; Bennett, Marc Patrick; van Esch, Silke; Beckers, Tom
• Is Part Of: Cognition and emotion. Volume 31:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 1444
• Page End: 1452
• Publication Date: 2017-10-03
• Subjects: Associative learning -- aversive learning -- generalisation -- cognitive processes -- rule learning; Cognition -- Periodicals; Emotions and cognition -- Periodicals; 155.413
• DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2016.1230541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9931

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Generalising what is learned about one stimulus to other but perceptually related stimuli is a basic behavioural phenomenon. We evaluated whether a rule learning mechanism may serve to explain such generalisation. To this end, we assessed whether inference rules communicated through verbal instructions affect generalisation. Expectancy ratings, but not valence ratings, proved sensitive to this manipulation. In addition to revealing a role for inference rules in generalisation, our study has clinical implications as well. More specifically, we argue that targeting inference rules might prove to be an effective strategy to affect the excessive generalisation that is often observed in psychopathology.