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. 1977 Jul;28(1):47–57. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1977.28-47

Choice, time allocation, and response rate during stimulus generalization1

Charlotte Mandell, John A Nevin
PMCID: PMC1333613  PMID: 16812013

Abstract

Six pigeons were trained to discriminate between two noise intensities using a procedure that assessed choice, time allocation, and response rate simultaneously and independently. Responses on the left or right key (R1 or R2) were respectively correct in the presence of two different intensities, S1 and S2. After a correct response, reinforcement became available for pecks on the center key. Reinforcement density for R1¦S1 relative to R2¦S2 was varied across experimental conditions. Generalization tests followed extensive training at each condition. As a function of stimulus intensity, proportions of initial choices of R2, of time spent in R2-initiated components, and of center-key responses emitted in R2-initiated components all yielded sigmoidal gradients of similar slope, which shifted slightly in location when relative reinforcement density changed. Changeovers were maximal where initial choice proportions approximated 0.5. Gradients relating the absolute number of center-key responses to stimulus intensity were also roughly sigmoidal, but were more sensitive to changes in reinforcement density. Gradients of momentary response rate also depended on reinforcement density. During training, large but transitory shifts in choice responding occurred when reinforcement density changed, while differences in momentary response rate developed slowly, suggesting separate control of choice and response rate by the contingencies of reinforcement.

Keywords: stimulus generalization, choice, time allocation, response rate, multiple schedules, concurrent schedules, auditory intensity, key peck, pigeons

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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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