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Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior logoLink to Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
. 1974 Sep;22(2):251–259. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1974.22-251

Transfer of control of the pigeon's key peck from food reinforcement to avoidance of shock

Donald D Foree, Vincent M LoLordo
PMCID: PMC1333267  PMID: 16811792

Abstract

Eight pigeons were initially trained to peck a white key for food under a variable-interval 1-min schedule of reinforcement. Then, a shock-avoidance schedule was initiated and food was no longer available in the experimental situation. Under the avoidance schedule, each peck on the key postponed shock for 40 sec. A warning signal, consisting of tone and red houselights, was presented after 30 sec without a response. If no response occurred, a shock was delivered 10 sec after warning-signal onset. Shocks were delivered every 10 sec in the presence of the warning signal until a response was made. The warning signal was terminated only by a response. Key pecking of all eight pigeons came under control of the avoidance schedule and responding continued throughout the 20-day avoidance training period.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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