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Published on: February 15, 2015
Topographical variations in behavior during autoshaping, automaintenance, and omission training
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|May 1, 1987
Summary
Pigeons in autoshaping experiments reliably approach a red keylight (conditional stimulus) and avoid a white keylight (intertrial stimulus). Even when key pecking is penalized, approach behaviors persist, demonstrating stimulus control.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Operant Conditioning
Background:
- Autoshaping and automaintenance procedures are used to study associative learning in animals.
- Understanding stimulus control is crucial for dissecting the mechanisms of learned behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate stimulus control in pigeons during autoshaping and automaintenance.
- To differentiate between key pecking and approach behaviors.
- To examine behavioral responses to conditional and intertrial stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Three pigeons were exposed to autoshaping, automaintenance, and omission procedures.
- A computer-controlled tracking system recorded head position.
- Key pecking and approach/withdrawal behaviors were continuously monitored.
Main Results:
- All pigeons approached the conditional stimulus (red keylight) and withdrew from the intertrial stimulus (white keylight).
- Key pecking was reduced by an omission procedure but approach behaviors persisted.
- Stereotypic behaviors were observed during the intertrial stimulus.
Conclusions:
- The conditional stimulus exerts strong control over approach and pecking motions, independent of high-level key pecking.
- Pigeons exhibit distinct withdrawal and stereotypic behaviors during intertrial intervals, indicating robust stimulus control.
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