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Related Experiment Videos

Initial-link duration and acquisition of preference in concurrent chains.

Mark E Berg1, Randolph C Grace

  • 1University of Canterbury, Department of Psychology, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. bmark3@xtra.co.nz

Learning & Behavior
|June 22, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Shorter initial links speed up preference acquisition in pigeons, while longer initial links improve temporal control. Initial-link duration impacts conditioned reinforcer effectiveness but not terminal-link temporal learning.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral psychology
  • Animal learning

Background:

  • Response allocation in concurrent chains is influenced by initial-link duration.
  • Delay-reduction theory posits that conditioned reinforcer impact varies with initial-link duration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if initial-link duration affects the speed of preference acquisition in pigeons.
  • To determine the effect of initial-link duration on temporal control within terminal links.

Main Methods:

  • Six pigeons were trained using a concurrent-chains procedure with varying fixed-interval terminal links.
  • Transitions between variable-interval initial links of short (8-sec) and long (24-sec) durations were manipulated.
  • Terminal link schedules were reversed every 20 sessions across conditions.

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Main Results:

  • Acquisition of preference was faster with shorter initial links preceding schedule reversal and longer initial links following reversal.
  • Initial-link duration did not influence the acquisition or asymptotic measures of temporal control in terminal links.
  • Results support delay-reduction theory regarding conditioned reinforcer impact.

Conclusions:

  • Initial-link duration significantly affects the rate of preference acquisition.
  • Temporal learning in terminal links appears independent of initial-link duration.
  • Findings support and extend principles of delay-reduction theory in associative learning.