THE EVALUATIVE RESPONSE - PRIMITIVE BUT NECESSARY

We do not believe the claim that ''evaluative conditioning is a qualit atively distinct form of classical conditioning'' [Davey (1994). Behav iour Research and Therapy, 32,291-299]. We view all classical conditio ning as a learning process which leads organisms to assign a positive or negative value to previously neutral stimuli and to respond to them accordingly. The evaluative response is a necessary component of this process and hence it is central to all classical conditioning, not a separate type. Davey concentrates on a signal-based information proces sing view of learning, i.e. the formation of linear associations betwe en CS and UCS of which human subjects are aware and which they can ver balize. We propose a more primitive and more general model in which st imulus evaluation (like/dislike) occurs with a minimal degree of proce ssing, and enters into a representation of stimulus (CS and UCS) and r esponse (CR and UCR) characteristics which is redintegrative rather th an associative.