The observer's acquaintance with the model's stimulus in vicarious classical conditioning

To disentangle possibel mediating mechanisms in vicarious learning, the observer's acquaintance with an annoying stimulus was varied before taking part in a classical conditioning procedure where the model ostensible received strong electric shocks. For a total 64 observers of both sexes the pre-conditioning acquaintance was varied in a 2times2 factorial design with Intensity (strong/week) and Modality (shock/tone) as independent variables. In the differential long interstimulus interval conditioning procedure, skin conductance responses (SCRs) were employed as the main dependent measure, and were supplemented by post-experimental questionnaire ratings. Data analyses indicated that the observers with a weak intensity of pre-experimental acquaintance conditioned SCRs better than those with a strong intensity, which was contrary to hypotheses. For the post-experimental ratings no such effect was indicated. The results are discussed in terms of the observer's perceived self-suffering to the model's stimulus and the intensity of the model's emotional state as perceived by the observer. It is argued that the groups with a strong intensity of pre-experimental discomfort preceived the model's emotional state as less intense than the groups who had encountered a weak intensity stimulus.