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Intermittency of reinforcement during NA trials and performance on the ambiguous-cue problem

In 2 experiments a total of 16 White Carneaux and 6 Autosexer female pigeons were trained on the ambiguous-cue problem which is a 2-choice discrimination task involving 3 stimuli: positive (P), ambiguous (A), and negative (N). The 2 types of trials--PA (during which P and A are simultaneously presen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Psychology 1975-09, Vol.29 (3), p.210-223
Main Authors: Richards, Ralph W, Marcattilio, Anthony J
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:In 2 experiments a total of 16 White Carneaux and 6 Autosexer female pigeons were trained on the ambiguous-cue problem which is a 2-choice discrimination task involving 3 stimuli: positive (P), ambiguous (A), and negative (N). The 2 types of trials--PA (during which P and A are simultaneously present and the correct choice is P) and NA (during which N and A are simultaneously present and the correct choice is A)--were presented in mixed order; each trial terminated after 1 response. As the intermittency of reinforcement for choosing A on NA trials was increased, performance on (and acquisition of) the PA trials improved greatly and eventually equalled (and in some instances surpassed) that on the NA trials. Performance on NA trials was only slightly affected, if at all. (French summary) (23 ref)
ISSN:0008-4255
1196-1961
1878-7290
DOI:10.1037/h0082027