Question

Explain how Wagner's sometimes-opponent-process theory attempts to account for the fact that in some conditioning situations the CR mimics the UR, but in others the CR is the opposite of the UR.

Answer 1

Wagner's opponent-process theory explains the difference in responses in classical conditioning by asserting that mechanisms in the brain work in opposing pairs, creating CRs that can either mimic or be opposite to URs depending on the conditioning.

Step-by-step explanation:

Wagner's opponent-process theory offers an explanation for why in some classical conditioning situations the conditioned response (CR) mimics the unconditioned response (UR), and in others, the CR is opposite to the UR. This theory posits that there are mechanisms in the brain that operate in opposing pairs, such that activation of one member of the pair inhibits the activation of the other. When a specific conditioned stimulus (CS) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that produces a strong, unlearned response (UR), the brain's conditioning process tends to foster a CR that is the same as the UR, this is exemplified when Pavlov's dogs salivate (CR) upon hearing a bell (CS) after the bell has been paired with food (UCS), which naturally causes salivation (UR). However, if the CS predicts the absence of the UCS, one might develop a CR that is opposite to the UR, illustrating the opponent-process theory.