Classical Conditioning in the Sea Anemone, Cribrina Xanthogrammica

Earlier attempts to classically condition sea anemones have yielded inconclusive results. Using light as CS and shock as US, conditioning as distinguished from sensitization and pseudoconditioning was demonstrated in anemones. Procedural controls included substitution of light alone, shock alone, and random light and shock in place of paired light-shock trials. Responses measured were electrical output and folding of the oral disc. The conditioned response was distinguished from the unconditioned response to light and the unconditioned response to shock in terms of response latency of both electrical and behavioral measures.