MODULATION OF UNCONDITIONED RESPONSES

The object of the present study is to analyze the interaction between conditioned responses (CRs) and unconditioned responses (UCRs), under the assumption that the amplitude of UCRs is modulate by the CRs. <<Nu mber of conditioning trials>> and the <<interstimulus interval (ISI)>> are independent variables. <<Amplitude of UCR>> is the dependent vari able. The sample consisted of 60 students, divided in 4 groups accordi ng to the ISI (0.5, 3, 6 and 15 seconds, respectively). The experiment al procedure carried out a classical conditioning of the skin conducta nce response (SCR) through out 20 trials. The results showed that the conditioning trials strongly affected UCR amplitude. UCR amplitude is also affected by the interaction between CS-UCS interval and trials of conditioning, although at a lower level. Both effects consisted of a diminution of UCR amplitude.