Equation 1 · Part 3 · Prepared Fears: How Evolution Biased What the Mind Learns to Dread
Symbol λ
What this part means
the asymptotic strength that outcome supports.
Its job in the formula
λ is one of the signed contributions combined to compute the quantity on the left.
Full expression→Symbol λ→Article meaning
Where the article explains it
where V is the current associative strength between a stimulus and an outcome, is the asymptotic strength that outcome supports, and is a learning-rate parameter governing how much of the gap between the two is closed on a given trial.
The passage around this formula
…own parameters. A standard error-correction rule for associative strength states the update on each learning trial as . where V is the current associative strength between a stimulus and an outcome, is the asymptotic strength that outcome supports, and is a learning-rate parameter governing how much of the gap between the two is closed on a given trial. Preparedness theory’s defensible empirical content, on the evidence gathered across the last five sections, is that is…
Learn the underlying idea
A variable is a named place for a value. Its letter is a local label: x can mean position in one formula and a data point in another.
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Sources cited in the article section
- [13] The Legacy of Seligman's "Phobias and Preparedness" (1971) ↗
- [10] Testing the Snake-Detection Hypothesis: Larger Early Posterior Negativity in Humans to Pictures of Snakes than to Pictures of Other Reptiles, Spiders and Slugs ↗
- [3] Observational Conditioning of Fear to Fear-Relevant Versus Fear-Irrelevant Stimuli in Rhesus Monkeys ↗
- [12] Gender and Age Differences in the Prevalence of Specific Fears and Phobias ↗
These citations provide research context; check each source for the exact claim it supports.