Learning About the CS During Latent Inhibition: Preexposure Enhances Temporal Control

In 3 experiments, rats were given nonreinforced preexposure to an auditory stimulus, after which this stimulus and a second, novel cue were paired with food. Lower rates of conditioned responding were observed to the preexposed stimulus across the 3 experiments, indicative of latent inhibition. The degree to which animals used these cues to time the occurrence of food delivery was also examined. Paradoxically, the response slopes—indicating the rate of increase in responding over the course of the conditioned stimulus—were greater for the preexposed than for the novel cues, consistent with the suggestion that the preexposed stimulus exerted greater temporal control. Moreover, this was the case irrespective of whether the duration of the cue during preexposure differed from that during conditioning. These results suggest that although conditioned stimulus preexposure retards conditioning, it may enhance timing. The findings are discussed in terms of current models of conditioning and timing.