Journal article
Performance of pigeons on delayed simple and conditional discriminations under equivalent training procedures
Learning and motivation, Vol.12(2), pp.149-170
1981
DOI: 10.1016/0023-9690(81)90016-3
Abstract
A pair of experiments investigated the short-term memory of pigeons under delayed simple and conditional discriminations. Trial sequences in both discriminations consisted of a color as the sample stimulus, a memory interval, a line orientation as the test stimulus, and a trial outcome, which was either food reinforcement or blackout. Pecking rates during the test stimulus defined discrimination performance. In the simple discrimination, the sample provided the necessary information regarding the subsequent trial outcome. In the conditional discrimination, the sample and test stimuli conjointly provided this information. In Experiment 1, the two procedures were compared with independent groups of pigeons. In Experiment 2, the comparison was made within subjects. The simple discrimination was acquired more quickly and was performed better with a memory requirement. Introduction of long delays disrupted performance even at shorter delays in both discriminations. Postulation of prospective as well as retrospective mediating processes facilitates the interpretation of these results.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Performance of pigeons on delayed simple and conditional discriminations under equivalent training procedures
- Creators
- Werner K Honig - Dalhousie University USAEdward A Wasserman - The University of Iowa USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Learning and motivation, Vol.12(2), pp.149-170
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1016/0023-9690(81)90016-3
- ISSN
- 0023-9690
- eISSN
- 1095-9122
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 1981
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984070628002771
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