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Attenuation and reacquisition of foraging behavior in a patchy environment
K G Mitchell1, J L Calton, R C Threlkeld
1Department of Psychology, 210 McAlester Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia MO 65211, USA.
Behavioural Processes
|June 5, 2014
Summary
Pigeons
Area of Science:
- Behavioral science
- Animal behavior studies
- Comparative psychology
Background:
- Foraging behavior is crucial for survival.
- Understanding how animals adapt foraging strategies is key.
- Response elimination procedures offer insights into behavioral flexibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different response elimination procedures on pigeon foraging behavior.
- To examine the reacquisition of foraging patterns after periods of non-reinforcement.
- To assess pigeons' sensitivity to food density variations post-elimination.
Main Methods:
- Pigeons were trained to forage across four patches with varying food densities.
- Two response elimination procedures were employed: no food and external food.
- Behavioral changes during elimination and reacquisition phases were recorded.
Main Results:
- Foraging behavior decreased in both elimination conditions.
- Pigeons exposed to external food during elimination showed superior foraging upon reacquisition.
- This group demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to patch-specific food densities.
Conclusions:
- Response elimination procedures differentially affect subsequent foraging behavior.
- External reinforcement during elimination can preserve or enhance adaptive foraging strategies.
- Pigeons exhibit remarkable behavioral flexibility in response to changing environmental contingencies.
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