Pavlovian-instrumental transfer
An example of specific PIT, as described by a neuroscience review on Pavlovian-instrumental transfer from 2013,[1] is as follows: In a typical experimental scenario a rat is trained to associate a sound (CS) with the delivery of food.Later, the rat undergoes an instrumental training where it learns to press a lever to get some food (without the sound being present).Finally, the rat is presented again with the opportunity to press the lever, this time both in the presence and absence of the sound.[1][6] Studies on humans, which employed neuroimaging during PIT experiments with rewards, appear to be consistent with these findings.The sight or smell of food which one has consumed and enjoyed in the past can elicit hunger (i.e., the motivation to eat) in humans, an effect which is presumably mediated through PIT.