In 2 experiments we show that preferences can be formed by transfer of valence from an unconditioned stimulus (US) to an action and then from this valence-laden action to a novel conditioned stimulus (CS) even though the US and CS were never presented together. This result expands the approach of intersecting regularities (Hughes, De Houwer, & Perugini, 2016) to yet another realm of evaluative learning. In addition, our approach to evaluative learning suggests theoretical links between the formation of preferences due to actions and general research on action control. In summary, we discovered an additional route via which humans may acquire novel preferences and we propose a mental mechanism that may play an important role in the perceptuomotor system that controls many daily life behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record

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In this paper, we outline the predominant theoretical perspectives on evaluative conditioning (EC)—the changes in liking that are due to the pairing of stimuli—identify their weaknesses, and propose a new framework, the binding perspective on EC, which might help to overcome at least some of these issues. Based on feature integration theory (Treisman & Gelade, 1980, https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-0285(80)90005-5) and the theory of event coding (TEC; Hommel, Müsseler, Aschersleben, & Prinz, 2001, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X01000103), we assume that EC depends on a selective integration mechanism that binds relevant CS, US, and action features into an event-file, while simultaneously inhibiting features irrelevant for current goals. This perspective examines hitherto unspecified processes relevant to the encoding of CS-US pairs and their consequences for behavior, which we hope will stimulate further theoretical development. We also present some preliminary evidence for binding in EC and discuss the scope and limitations of this perspective.

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