Effects of procedural parameters on response accuracy: lessons from delayed (non-)matching procedures in animals

The experimental analysis of behaviour in operant paradigms has identified numerous variables which affect performance. We will focus on the delayed (non-)matching tasks in order to illustrate the influence of procedural variables on acquisition and performance in operant tasks of cognitive function. Systematic variation of these parameters can help dissociate different cognitive processes which may be differentially affected by drug treatment or brain lesions. Use of different parameters, however, could equally account for controversial drug or lesion effects reported in the literature. Consideration of these factors will increase our understanding of the relative contribution of these and other features and parameters of the procedural arrangements to the final behavioural outcome.