Figure 3.

Screenshot of the bespoke software interface used to control the testing chamber

Software is available upon request from the lead author. The options for each prompt are shown in brackets ( ) and the default entry for each prompt is shown in square brackets [ ]. This screenshot is an example of a session containing a single CS-/US- trial followed by a single CS+/US+ trial. The first set of prompts concern global task parameters: the monkey name and file name; the name of an SQL database which stores the task parameters (in this case called AversivePavlovianLaith, storing data for both appetitive and aversive Pavlovian tasks we run in the apparatus); the initial offset time at the start of the session (one minute); the inter-trial interval (ITI, set to vary between 70 and 110 s); the houselight (set to comprise of the red, blue, and green LED lights to create a white light); and the number of CS types (two: CS- and CS+). The first CS type describes the CS-/US- trial. The CS duration is 20 s and is set as a ‘wav’ file with the name ‘PhoneVA’ (the sound of a phone ringing). The CS is specified to continue playing during the US, but not to carry on beyond the end of the US. The US is set to ‘food box visible’ (US-) and to last 120 s. The second CS type describes the CS+/US+ trial. The CS parameters are identical except the ‘wav’ file is now ‘DreamharpNB’ (the sound of a harp playing). The US is set to ‘food box open’ (US+) and to last 120 s. Finally, the user is prompted to review and confirm the parameters before beginning the session (not fully shown).