Wagner-Rescorla Surprise

Model

The Wagner-Rescorla Model is a wellknown linear-operator model of

Pavlovian Conditioning.
The model is based on the notion that
the key aspect of experience that
drives change in behavior is the
psychological effects of surprise.

Wagner-Rescorla Real-Time
Linear-Operator Model

The Wagner-Rescorla Model of Pavlovian Conditioning

is a linear-operator model.
An operator is a mathematical expression or
computational algorithm that is applied to a series
of calculations.
The Wagner-Rescorla operator is applied to a series
arranged in a straight line or linear dimension.
The straight line dimension on which the algorithm
operates is the linear dimension of real-time.
The model is applied to Pavlovian procedures, which
are experienced sequentially in a straight line
sequence along the linear dimension of real-time.

The Wagner-Rescorla Model

The Wagner-Rescorla Model attempts to capture
computationally the psychological impact of surprise.
According to the model, the presentation of the US will
increase CS-US association to the extent that the
presentation of the US is surprising or unexpected.
If the presentation of the US occurs in the presence of CSs
that are not associated with the US, then that US
presentation is surprising and will produce a large
increase in CS-US association.
If,on the other hand, the presentation of the US occurs in
the presence of CSs that are highly associated with the
US, then that US presentation is not surprising and will
produce little or no increase in CS-US association.

The Wagner-Rescorla Model

VA = A US (US - ), where:
VA = Delta VA
VA = Change in association between
CSA and the US on this trial.

The Wagner-Rescorla Model

VA = A US (US - ), where:

A = growth rate parameter for CSA

(this is a constant, 0< A< 1.0)

US = growth rate parameter for US

(this is a constant, 0< US < 1.0)

The Wagner-Rescorla Model

VA = A US (US - ), where:
US = lambdaUS
US = maximum amount of
associative
strength
possible with this US.

The Wagner-Rescorla Model

VA = A US (US - ), where:
= sum of the V values of all stimuli present
on this trial.
If only CSX is present on this trial, then, =
VX .
If CSX and CSA are both present on this trial,
then, = VX + VA.

Periods
Group :
Positive Correlation

using equation

using equation

V
V

10

A
*

A
*

A
*

Computational Equations
1. CSA and US:
2. CSX and US:

VA = A US (US - )
VX = X US (US - )

3. CSA and NO US:

VA = A US (EXT - )

4. CSX and NO US:

VX = X US (EXT - )

Using the following

constants:

A = 0.5
X = 0.6

US = 0.7
US = 1.0
EXT = 0.0

Periods
Group :
Positive Correlation

using equation

using equation

V
V

10

A
*

A
*

A
*

Associative Account
Ledgers for CSA and CSX

CSA is the discrete CS that is

presented during periods 4, 7, and 10.

CSX is all of the other stimuli (context,

situation, environment) other than CSA
and the US.

CSX is present during all periods.

Associative Account
Ledgers for CSA and CSX

The ledger works like your checking

account:
The V line is the credit and debit ledger,
where each transaction [deposit (credit)
or purchase (debit)] is entered.
The V line is the balance of the account after
each transaction has been entered.

Check Down List

On each period:
Step 1. Which CS stimuli are actually present
on
this period? Calculate V only for
stimuli that are actually present on this
period.
Step 2. Calculate for this period. Add the V
values
for only those stimuli that are
actually
present on this period.

Check Down List

On each period:
Step 3. Was the US presented during this
period?
If yes, then use US = 1.0.
If no, then use EXT = 0.0.
Step 4. Calculate V for each stimulus that was
present during this period.
Step 5. Update V values for all stimuli.

Periods
Group :
Positive Correlation

using equation

using equation

V
V

10

A
*

A
*

A
*

Periods
Group :

10

Positive Correlation

A
*

A
*

A
*

V
using equation

V
V

using equation

V
V

--- ---

---

---

---

---

---

Periods
Group :

10

Positive Correlation

A
*

using equation

4
X

A
*

A
*

0
0

using equation

V
V

--- --0

---

---

---

---

---

Periods
Group :

10

Positive Correlation

A
*

V
using equation

V
V

A
*

A
*

using equation

V
V

--- --0

---

---

---

---

---

Periods
Group :

10

Positive Correlation

A
*

V
using equation

V
V

A
*

A
*

using equation

V
V

--- ---

---

---

---

---

---

Periods
Group :

10

Positive Correlation

A
*

V
using equation

V
V

.42

.42

using equation

V
V

A
*

A
*

1
A

--- ---

--- .35

.35

---

---

---

---

Periods
Group :

10

Positive Correlation

A
*

V
using equation

V
V

.42

.42 -.18

.42 .24

using equation

V
V

A
*

A
*

1
A

--- ---

--- .35

---

.35

.35

---

---

---

Do It Yourself

Execute the calculations for

Periods 6-10 on your own.

Periods
Group :

10

Positive Correlation

A
*

V
using equation

V
V

.42 -.18

.42 .24 .14 .35

using equation

V
V

A
*
.42 .24 .49 .35
4

1
A

---

.35 .35 .53

2
.15

.20 .12 .27

--- .35
.35

.20 .65

-.10 .21 -.15 -.08

--- --0

A
*

--- .18 ---

---

.12

.53 .53 .65