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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

Authors

J. M. PEARCE

G. R. ESBER

M. HASELGROVE

John M. Pearce

Guillem R. Esber

Mark Haselgrove



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