Bringing the past into the present: Control by exteroceptive stimuli and key-peck location in a concurrent-chains procedure

• Published in: Behavioural processes 2022-02, Vol.195, p.104585-104585, Article 104585
• Main Authors: Gomes-Ng, Stephanie, Bai, John Y.H., Landon, Jason, Cowie, Sarah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Choice Behavior; Columbidae; Concurrent chains; Conflicting information; Intertemporal choice; Outcome control; Reinforcement Schedule; Stimulus control; Stimulus reliability
• ISSN: 0376-6357; 1872-8308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104585

We recently found that initial-link stimuli signaling trial outcomes (signals) in a concurrent-chains procedure exerted imperfect control during initial and terminal links. Here, we conducted a follow-up experiment to investigate further such imperfect control. Five pigeons worked on a concurrent-chains procedure in which one alternative led to a terminal link ending in a smaller-sooner reinforcer delivery, and the other in a larger-later reinforcer. During initial links of some trials, compound stimuli (signals) signaled the trial outcome. We assessed control by signal dimensions in Conflicting trials, in which the dimensions signaled conflicting outcomes. Unlike our previous experiment, signals remained present during terminal links. During initial links, preference favored the signaled key in Signaled trials, and the key signaled by the dimension exerting stronger control in Conflicting trials, suggesting strong signal control. Initial-link choice also depended on trial outcomes; preference was overall biased towards the smaller-sooner key. Terminal-link responding was primarily controlled by the key peck producing terminal-link entry, although some weak signal control was also evident. Thus, signal control during initial and terminal links was enhanced, and control by key-peck location during terminal links persisted, when signals remained present during terminal links. This suggests that our previous findings were partly related to temporal separation between signals and trial outcomes, and to history effects producing strong control by key-peck location. •We investigated how temporal separation between stimuli and outcomes affects stimulus control.•Pigeons responded for differentially signaled, delayed outcomes in a concurrent-chains procedure.•Behavior was controlled by the signals, and by key-peck location.•Signal control was stronger when the signals remained present until the outcome.•Interoceptive cues such as key-peck location may help bridge the gap between stimuli and future outcomes.