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Related Experiment Videos

"Lying" in the pigeon.

R P Lanza, J Starr, B F Skinner

    Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
    |September 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Pigeons learned to communicate hidden colors using symbols. When rewarded for reporting red, they initially "lied" by misidentifying other colors as red.

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    Area of Science:

    • Comparative psychology
    • Animal cognition
    • Symbolic communication

    Background:

    • Understanding the evolution of deception requires studying its simpler forms in non-human animals.
    • Symbolic communication systems offer a unique window into cognitive processes like information manipulation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the emergence of "lying" behavior in pigeons using a symbolic communication task.
    • To examine how differential reinforcement influences the accuracy of information conveyed through symbols.

    Main Methods:

    • Two pigeons were trained to associate specific symbols with colors.
    • A differential reinforcement schedule was implemented, rewarding reports of "red" more than other colors.
    • The pigeons' symbol usage was recorded to analyze their reporting behavior.

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    Main Results:

    • Both pigeons exhibited a period of "lying," where they inaccurately reported other colors as "red."
    • This deceptive behavior correlated with the increased reinforcement for reporting red.
    • The pigeons eventually adjusted their reporting behavior.

    Conclusions:

    • Pigeons can learn to use symbols to convey information, even in ways that are not veridical.
    • Differential reinforcement can shape communicative acts, potentially leading to deceptive-like behaviors.
    • This study provides insights into the basic mechanisms underlying deception in animal communication.