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A Method for Investigating Change Blindness in Pigeons Columba Livia
Published on: September 7, 2018
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Flexible learning of matching and mismatching by pigeons
Thomas R Zentall1, Peyton M Mueller1, Daniel N Peng1
1University of Kentucky, USA.
Behavioural Processes
|July 28, 2022
Summary
Pigeons learned conditional discriminations by selecting correct and rejecting incorrect stimuli, regardless of matching or mismatching training. This suggests pigeons learn stimulus configurations, not just simple stimulus-response chains.
Area of Science:
- Animal Cognition
- Behavioral Psychology
- Comparative Psychology
Background:
- Conditional discriminations involve a sample stimulus guiding choice between comparison stimuli.
- Skinner's chaining hypothesis suggests pigeons learn to select correct stimuli, not reject incorrect ones.
- Evidence suggests matching/mismatching learning transfers, but its role in acquisition is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if consistent matching or mismatching facilitates acquisition of conditional discriminations in pigeons.
- To determine if pigeons learn to reject incorrect stimuli in conditional discriminations.
- To explore the role of sample/comparison-stimulus configurations in learning.
Main Methods:
- Pigeons were trained on 0-s delay conditional discriminations in three groups: two matching, two mismatching, or one of each.
- Acquisition rates were compared across groups.
- Testing involved replacing stimuli to assess learning of both selection and rejection.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in acquisition were found between matching, mismatching, and mixed groups.
- Testing revealed pigeons learned to both select correct and reject incorrect stimuli in all groups.
- Results suggest learning based on sample/comparison-stimulus configurations.
Conclusions:
- Consistent matching or mismatching does not appear to facilitate conditional discrimination acquisition in pigeons.
- Pigeons learn to reject incorrect stimuli, challenging the simple chaining hypothesis.
- Learning likely involves understanding sample-stimulus configurations, with the sample acting as an occasion setter.
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