A Java simulator of Rescorla and Wagner¿s prediction error model and configural cue extensions

Abstract

In this paper we present the ¿R&W Simulator¿ (version 3.0), a Java simulator of Rescorla and Wagner¿s error correction model of classical conditioning (Rescorla & Wagner, 1972). It is able to run whole experimental designs, and compute and display the associative values of elemental and compound stimuli simultaneously, as well as use extra configural cues in generating compound values (Wagner & Rescorla, 1972); it also permits to change the US across phases. The simulator produces both numerical and graphical outputs, and includes a functionality to export the results to a data processor spreadsheet. It is user-friendly, and built with a graphical interface designed to allow associative learning experts to input the data in their own ¿language¿. It is a cross- platform simulator, so it does not require any special equipment, operative system or support program, and does not need installation. The ¿R&W Simulator¿ (version 3.0) is available free.