Divided stimulus control depends on global, but not local, reinforcement contingencies

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Animal Cognition
• Operant Conditioning

Background:

• Stimulus control is influenced by reinforcer probabilities.
• Parallels between choice behavior and stimulus control are well-established.
• The role of local vs. global reinforcer probabilities in divided stimulus control requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if parallels between choice and divided stimulus control extend to local levels of analysis.
• To examine the influence of local reinforcer probabilities on stimulus control in pigeons.
• To determine the relative importance of global versus local reinforcer probabilities in shaping stimulus control.

Main Methods:

• A matching-to-sample procedure was employed with six pigeons.
• Sample stimuli combined color and alternation frequency, requiring dimensional identification.
• Experimental conditions manipulated signaled reinforcement probabilities for specific dimensions.

Main Results:

• Local reinforcer probabilities had minimal impact on divided stimulus control.
• Divided stimulus control was primarily influenced by overall (global) reinforcer probabilities.
• Global effects were diminished when stimulus dimensions were less discriminable.

Conclusions:

• Parallels between choice and divided stimulus control may not extend to local levels.
• The discriminated reinforcer differential plays a crucial role in divided stimulus control.
• Global reinforcer probabilities are more influential than local ones in this paradigm.