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Frequency and value both matter in the suboptimal choice procedure.

Jeffrey M Pisklak1, Margaret A McDevitt2, Roger M Dunn3

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Summary

Pigeons preferred optimal food choices when signals were clear. However, when signals were ambiguous, pigeons shifted to suboptimal choices, indicating reinforcer frequency influences decisions.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral neuroscience
  • Animal cognition
  • Decision-making in animals

Background:

  • Pigeons (Columba livia) are frequently used models for understanding choice behavior.
  • Previous research suggests signal value can drive suboptimal choices in pigeons.
  • Concurrent-chains tasks assess choice behavior under conditions of delayed reinforcement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of signal value and reinforcer frequency on pigeon choice behavior.
  • To determine if pigeons exhibit suboptimal choice when signals are ambiguous.
  • To test the hypothesis that reinforcer frequency, not just signal value, drives suboptimal choice.

Main Methods:

  • Pigeons completed a concurrent-chains task with a single initial response.
  • Two options were presented: one optimal (80% food) and one suboptimal (20% food).
  • Conditions varied in signal clarity: Sig-Both (clear signals for both options) and Sig-Sub (ambiguous signals for the optimal option).

Main Results:

  • In the Sig-Both condition, pigeons strongly preferred the optimal option.
  • In the Sig-Sub condition, pigeon preference shifted towards the suboptimal option.
  • This shift indicates that ambiguous signals can lead to suboptimal choices.

Conclusions:

  • Pigeon suboptimal choice is not solely determined by signal value.
  • Reinforcer frequency plays a significant role in guiding pigeons' choices, especially under ambiguous signaling conditions.
  • These findings refine our understanding of decision-making processes in non-human animals.