The impact of emotional valence on generalization gradients
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21640720 |
|---|---|
| Authors | José A Alcalá (0000-0002-0092-1462, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, corresponding author), Celia Martínez-Tomás (Universidad Complutense de Madrid), Gonzalo P Urcelay (0000-0003-4717-0181, University of Nottingham), José A Hinojosa (0000-0002-7482-9503, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 1670-1679 |
| Publication date | 2024-08-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Psychonomic Bulletin & Review (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1069-9384 • E-ISSN: 1531-5320 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.3758/s13423-023-02450-8 |
| PMID | 38228968 |
| OpenAlex | W4390904422 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 38 |
Generalization enables individuals to respond to novel stimuli based on previous experiences. The degree to which organisms respond is determined by their physical resemblance to the original conditioned stimulus (CS+), with a stronger response elicited by more similar stimuli, resulting in similarity-based generalization gradients. Recent research showed that cognitive or conceptual dimensions also result in gradients similar to those observed with manipulations of physical dimensions. Such findings suggest that attributes beyond physical similarity play a role in shaping generalization gradients. However, despite its adaptive relevance for survival, there is no study exploring the effectiveness of affective dimensions in shaping generalization gradients. In two experiments (135 Spanish and 150 English participants, respectively), we used an online predictive learning task, in which different stimuli (words and Gabor patches) were paired with the presence – or absence – of a fictitious shock. After training, we assessed whether valence (i.e., hedonic experience) conveyed by words shape generalization gradients. In Experiment 1, the outcome expectancy decreased monotonically with variations in valence of Spanish words, mirroring the gradient obtained with the physical dimension (line orientation). In Experiment 2, conducted with English words, a similar gradient was observed when non-trained (i.e., generalization) words varied along the valence dimension, but not when words were of neutral valence. The consistency of these findings across two different languages strengthens the reliability and validity of the affective dimension as a determinant of generalization gradients. Furthermore, our data highlight the importance of considering the role of affective features in generalization responses, advancing the interplay between emotion, language, and learning
Categorization · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Emotional valence · Generalization · Mathematical analysis · Perception · Stimulus generalization · Action Observation and Synchronization · Chemistry · Computer Science · Mathematics · Multisensory perception and integration · Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies · Neuroscience · Psychology · Social Psychology · Artificial Intelligence
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| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |