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Related Experiment Videos

Development of complex, stereotyped behavior in pigeons.

B Schwartz

    Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
    |March 1, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary

    Pigeons developed specific, repetitive action sequences when reinforced for them. Removing visual cues or changing rules increased behavioral variability, suggesting reinforcement shapes complex actions and leads to stereotypy.

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    Area of Science:

    • Animal Behavior
    • Behavioral Psychology
    • Operant Conditioning

    Background:

    • Complex behavioral sequences are often studied in animals to understand learning.
    • Operant conditioning principles explain how reinforcement shapes behavior.
    • Stereotypy, or repetitive behavior, can emerge under certain reinforcement schedules.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate how pigeons learn and develop complex behavioral sequences.
    • To examine the role of reinforcement contingencies in shaping stereotyped behavior.
    • To assess the impact of environmental cues and rule changes on learned sequences.

    Main Methods:

    • Pigeons were trained to peck keys that controlled a light's position in a matrix.
    • Reinforcement was contingent on specific sequences of key pecks.
    • Experiments manipulated reinforcement schedules, visual cues, and response requirements.

    Main Results:

    • Pigeons developed highly stereotyped sequences despite multiple possible reinforcement paths.
    • Behavioral variability increased during extinction (lack of reinforcement).
    • Performance was disrupted by cue removal but recovered with training; complex rule changes were not mastered.

    Conclusions:

    • Contingent reinforcement can lead to the formation of complex behavioral units.
    • Stereotyped behavior is a probable outcome of consistent reinforcement schedules.
    • Environmental cues and reinforcement rules significantly influence the development and flexibility of learned behaviors.

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