The nature of discrimination learning in pigeons

PEARCE, J. M.; ESBER, G. R.; HASELGROVE, M.; Pearce, John M.; Esber, Guillem R.; George, D. N.; Haselgrove, Mark

Abstract

The results from five experiments are considered in relation to two of Spence's (1937, 1938) proposals concerning discrimination learning. In Experiments 1 and 2, we investigated whether his ideas about the interaction between excitatory and inhibitory generalization gradients can be used to understand how animals solve a complex patterning discrimination. The results supported a development of his proposals as put forward by Pearce (1994), provided a modification was made to Pearce's rule for determining the shape of the generalization gradient. In Experiments 3, 4, and 5, we examined whether animals would pay more attention to stimuli that are relevant, rather than irrelevant, to the solution of a discrimination. The results supported this proposal for stimuli comprising visual patterns, but not for those comprising plain colors. The results also indicated that change of attention was a consequence of preliminary receptor-exposure acts, as envisaged by Spence, and not of more central changes in attention. Copyright 2008 Psychonomic Society, Inc.

Citation

Pearce, J. M., Esber, G. R., George, D. N., & Haselgrove, M. (2008). The nature of discrimination learning in pigeons. Learning and Behavior, 36(3), 188-199. https://doi.org/10.3758/lb.36.3.188

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 22, 2008
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: Learning & Behavior
• Print ISSN: 1543-4494
• Electronic ISSN: 1543-4508
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 188-199
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/lb.36.3.188
• Keywords: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience; Behavioral Neuroscience
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/463210
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758%2FLB.36.3.188
• Contract Date: Nov 13, 2014