Logo image
Back
Memory for sequences of stimuli and responses
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Memory for sequences of stimuli and responses

Edward A Wasserman, Keith R Nelson and Mark B Larew
Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior, Vol.34(1), pp.49-59
07/1980
DOI: 10.1901/jeab.1980.34-49
PMCID: PMC1332944
PMID: 16812179
url
https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1980.34-49View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Two experiments sought to determine if pigeons could discriminate and remember recent sequences of stimuli and responses. A variant of Konorski's short-term memory procedure involving successive presentation of sample and test stimuli was used. The samples were stimulus-response pairs of the form, (S-R) 1 –(S-R) 2 . Differential test responding disclosed memory of the two-item samples, with birds showing earlier and greater control by the second item than the first (Experiment 1). When the retention interval separating the second item of the sample sequence from the test stimulus was lenghtened from .5 to 2.0 or 4.0 sec, a systematic loss of stimulus control resulted; however, when varied over the same temporal range, the interval between the two items of the sample sequence had a much smaller effect, or none at all (Experiment 2). These results support an account of response-sequence differentiation that stresses short-term memory of organized behavior patterns.
 key peck stimulus-response memory short-term memory response differentiation behavioral organization pigeons

Details

Metrics

20 Record Views
26 Times Cited - Web of Science
Logo image