Bending rules: The shape of the perceptual generalization gradient is sensitive to inference rules

Generalizing what is learned about one stimulus to other but perceptually related stimuli is a basic behavioral phenomenon. We evaluated whether a rule learning mechanism may serve to explain such generalization. To this end, we assessed whether inference rules communicated through verbal instructions affect generalization. Expectancy ratings, but not valence ratings, proved sensitive to this manipulation. In addition to revealing a role for inference rules in generalization, 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 generalization that is often observed in psychopathology.

Jaar van publicatie:2017

BOF-keylabel:ja

IOF-keylabel:ja

BOF-publication weight:1

CSS-citation score:2

Auteurs:International

Authors from:Higher Education

Toegankelijkheid:Open