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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Evaluation of Auditory Brainstem Response in Chicken Hatchlings
Published on: April 1, 2022
Operant generalization of auditory tempo in quail neonates
Susan M Schneider1, Robert Lickliter
1Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA. schneids@fiu.edu
Insights
Operant generalization was studied in newly hatched quail, revealing early cognitive development. Even with minimal experience, young birds showed significant tempo generalization, indicating foundational learning abilities.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive development
- Animal behavior
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Operant generalization is a fundamental cognitive process.
- Previous research has not explored operant generalization in neonates.
- Early development of cognitive functions is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate operant generalization in newly hatched quail.
- To examine the form of the generalization gradient early in development.
- To understand the foundational cognitive abilities present at hatching.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel preparation for newly hatched quail.
- Utilized nondifferential training with heat presentations and auditory stimuli.
- Assessed tempo generalization in extinction.
Main Results:
- A significantly excitatory average generalization gradient was observed.
- The results were obtained despite minimal postnatal experience.
- Demonstrated evidence of operant generalization in neonates.
Conclusions:
- Newly hatched quail exhibit operant generalization.
- Cognitive building blocks like generalization are present very early in development.
- This study provides a foundation for future research on neonatal cognition.
Abstract:
Operant generalization, a building block of cognition, has never been studied in neonates. We developed a preparation for newly hatched quail in order to investigate the form of the generalization gradient very early in development. For their first 4-5 days after hatching, northern bobwhite chicks pecked for brief heat presentations while hearing a high-pitched sound repeated at a constant rate (nondifferential training). Tempo generalization was then assessed in extinction. A significantly excitatory average gradient resulted despite minimal postnatal experience.
