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Choice with uncertain outcomes: conditioned reinforcement effects.

R Dunn¹, M L Spetch

¹Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, Calexico, California 92231.

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

|March 1, 1990

Summary

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Pigeons showed a stronger preference for reliable food rewards when the outcome was not signaled. Signaling the outcome reduced this preference, especially when the terminal links were longer.

Area of Science:

Behavioral Psychology
Animal Cognition

Background:

Pigeons demonstrate choice behavior in concurrent chains schedules.
Terminal links can signal the likelihood and delay of reinforcement.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how signaling outcomes affects pigeons' preference in concurrent chains.
To examine the role of terminal-link duration in signaled and unsignaled choice.

Main Methods:

Pigeons chose between two concurrent chains with varying initial and terminal link durations.
Terminal links either reliably delivered food or a blackout, with stimuli sometimes signaling the outcome.
Experiments manipulated signaled vs. unsignaled outcomes and link durations.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

Preference for the reliable outcome was higher in unsignaled conditions compared to signaled conditions.

Preference increased with terminal-link duration only when outcomes were unsignaled.

Signaling reduced preference for the reliable option, particularly with longer terminal links.

Conclusions:

The signaling of outcomes by terminal-link stimuli significantly influences choice behavior in pigeons.
Unsignaled terminal links lead to a stronger preference for reliable reinforcement.
Delay reduction signaled by stimuli plays a crucial role in choice, but its impact is modulated by the presence of signals.