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Pigeons' preference for variable-interval water reinforcement under widely varied water budgets
D A Case1, P Nichols, E Fantino
1Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0109, USA.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Pigeon water budgets were manipulated to study risk preferences. Results indicate that risk preference in pigeons does not depend on the economic context of their water budget.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral ecology
- Animal behavior studies
Background:
- Behavioral ecology research suggests animal risk preferences depend on economic context, particularly energy budgets.
- Previous studies manipulated energy budgets in small animals to observe changes in risk-sensitive behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if pigeons' risk-sensitive preferences are influenced by their water budget.
- To determine if economic context, specifically water availability, affects decision-making in pigeons.
Main Methods:
- Pigeons' water budgets were varied between restrictive and ample conditions.
- Choice between fixed- and variable-interval schedules was reinforced using water.
- Body weight and choice response rates were monitored across experimental phases.
Main Results:
- Total choice response rates significantly decreased in ample water budget conditions.
- Pigeons consistently preferred the variable-interval schedule, indicating a stable risk preference.
- Body weights remained stable or increased, aligning with expected outcomes of the water manipulations.
Conclusions:
- Pigeon risk preference appears independent of the economic context provided by their water budget.
- Findings align with operant studies using food reinforcement, suggesting broad applicability of risk preference principles.
- This research extends the understanding of factors influencing risk-sensitive decision-making in animals.