Discrimination of structure: II. Feature binding.

Pearce, John M.; George, David N.

Abstract

In 3 experiments, pigeons acquired a discrimination between patterns comprising the same features. Thus vertical green bars beside horizontal red bars might have signaled food, and horizontal green bars beside vertical red bars might have signaled no food. The solution of this discrimination can be explained by assuming each pattern is represented either by a template or by structural features that are sensitive to combinations of color and line orientation. The 1st explanation predicts subjects should react to a training pattern rotated 90° in the same way as the pattern on which it is based. The 2nd explanation predicts these patterns should be treated as if they signal opposing outcomes. The experiments confirmed the 2nd of these predictions.

Citation

Pearce, J. M., & George, D. N. (2003). Discrimination of structure: II. Feature binding. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 29(2), 107-117. https://doi.org/10.1037/0097-7403.29.2.107

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 30, 2003
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2003
• Journal: JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY-ANIMAL BEHAVIOR PROCESSES
• Print ISSN: 0097-7403
• Publisher: American Psychological Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 107-117
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0097-7403.29.2.107
• Keywords: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/405249