Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Natural and Artificial Concepts

Natural and Artificial Concepts

In psychology, concepts can be divided into two categories: natural and artificial. Natural concepts are formed through direct or indirect experiences. For example, consider the concept of snow. If you live in a place with regular snowfall, such as Essex Junction, Vermont, you know snow through direct experiences. You’ve seen it fall, touched it, shoveled it, and played in it. You recognize its texture, appearance, and even its smell. In contrast, if you live on an island like Saint Vincent in...

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction

Generalization, discrimination, and extinction are key concepts in operant conditioning that influence how behaviors are learned and maintained.
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...

Concepts and Prototypes

Concepts and Prototypes

The human nervous system handles vast amounts of information by translating sensory stimuli into neural impulses, which the brain processes, creating thoughts expressed through language or stored as memories. The brain also synthesizes information from emotions and memories, which significantly influence thoughts and behaviors. This intricate process creates a comprehensive mental picture.
The brain organizes this information using concepts, which are mental categories grouping linguistic data,...

Inductive Reasoning

Inductive Reasoning

Inductive reasoning is a form of logical thinking that uses related observations to arrive at a general conclusion. It is uncertain and operates in degrees to which the conclusions are credible. As such, inductive arguments can be weak or strong, rather than valid or invalid, and conclusions can be used to formulate testable, falsifiable hypotheses.
Inductive reasoning is common in descriptive science. A life scientist makes observations and records them. This data can be qualitative or...

Real-World Application of Classical Conditioning

Real-World Application of Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning not only includes the initial pairing of stimuli but also extends to more complex forms, such as higher-order conditioning. Higher-order conditioning involves creating associations beyond the primary conditioned stimulus, resulting in a chain of conditioned responses.
Higher-order, or second-order, conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an already established conditioned stimulus through repeated pairings. For instance, if a dog has been...

Principles of Classical Conditioning

Principles of Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning, as described by Ivan Pavlov, is a foundational concept in associative learning, where a neutral stimulus becomes capable of eliciting a conditioned response through association with an unconditioned stimulus. The process of acquisition, where this learning occurs, and the subsequent phenomena of contiguity, contingency, generalization, discrimination, extinction, and spontaneous recovery are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of classical conditioning.
During the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Noninvasive fluorescence imaging in animal models of stroke.

Current medicinal chemistry·2012

Same author

The behavior of the listener, generic extensions, and the communicative adequacy of verbal behavior.

The Analysis of verbal behavior·2012

Same author

On structure-dependent grammars: a reply to Mabry.

The Analysis of verbal behavior·2012

Same author

Skinner and a solution to the problem of inner events.

The Behavior analyst·2012

Same author

Physicalism, reductionism, and verbal behavior: A reply to Leigland.

The Behavior analyst·2012

Same author

Do we need an alternative theory of verbal behavior?: a reply to Hayes and Wilson.

The Behavior analyst·2012

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Published on: November 2, 2012

Natural concepts and generalization classes.

The Behavior Analyst

|April 6, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Pigeons may not solely rely on genetics for abstract concepts. Experiences during experiments likely shape these "uncommon generalization classes," challenging prior conclusions about innate cognitive abilities.

More Related Videos

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments

Published on: March 1, 2022

Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization

Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization

Published on: April 19, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 23, 2026

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Published on: November 2, 2012

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments

Published on: March 1, 2022

Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization

Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization

Published on: April 19, 2017

Area of Science:

Cognitive Science
Animal Behavior
Comparative Psychology

Background:

Herrnstein, Loveland, and Cable (1976) proposed pigeons' abstract concepts stem from genetic factors.
Their research suggested innate determination for concepts not based on common elements.

Purpose of the Study:

To re-evaluate the Herrnstein et al. (1976) conclusion regarding genetic determination of pigeon concepts.
To propose that certain pigeon concepts are acquired through experimental experiences.

Main Methods:

Analysis of experimental results from Herrnstein, Loveland, and Cable (1976).
Conceptual re-framing of pigeon cognitive abilities, focusing on learned generalizations.

Main Results:

Pigeons acquired 'uncommon generalization classes' through specific experimental experiences.
Evidence suggests these concepts are not exclusively genetically determined.

Conclusions:

The conclusion that pigeon concepts are largely genetically determined is challenged.
Advocates for replacing the term 'concept' with 'generalization class' for greater accuracy in animal cognition studies.