Abstract
Monkeys initiated a stimulus by pressing on the center of three levers and the stimulus terminated independently of behavior 60, 80, 90, or 100 sec later. Presses on the right lever were reinforced with food following the three briefer durations, and presses on the left lever, following the 100-sec duration. Incorrect responses produced a 10-sec timeout. Probability of presenting the 100-sec duration was manipulated in the range from 0.25 to 0.75, with the probabilities of the briefer durations remaining equal and summing to one minus the probability of the 100-sec duration. Percentage of responses on either side lever was functionally related to both the probability of presenting the 100-sec stimulus and to stimulus duration. An analysis of the data based on the theory of signal detection resulted in operating characteristics that were linear when plotted on normal-normal coordinates. The percentage of responses on either lever approximated the optimal values for maximizing reinforcement probability in each condition of the experiment.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Blough D. S. Stimulus generalization as signal detection in pigeons. Science. 1967 Nov 17;158(3803):940–941. doi: 10.1126/science.158.3803.940. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Boneau C. A., Cole J. L. Decision theory, the pigeon, and the psychophysical function. Psychol Rev. 1967 Mar;74(2):123–135. doi: 10.1037/h0024287. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Elsmore T. F. Control of responding by stimulus duration. J Exp Anal Behav. 1971 Jul;16(1):81–87. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1971.16-81. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- HACK M. H. Signal detection in the rat. Science. 1963 Feb 22;139(3556):758–760. doi: 10.1126/science.139.3556.758. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Herrnstein R. J. On the law of effect. J Exp Anal Behav. 1970 Mar;13(2):243–266. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1970.13-243. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Irwin R. J., Terman M. Detection of brief tones in noise by rats. J Exp Anal Behav. 1970 Mar;13(2):135–143. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1970.13-135. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- doi: 10.1901/jeab.1969.12-475. [DOI] [PMC free article] [Google Scholar]
- REYNOLDS G. S., CATANIA A. C. Temporal discrimination in pigeons. Science. 1962 Jan 26;135(3500):314–315. doi: 10.1126/science.135.3500.314. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- RILLING M., MCDIARMID C. SIGNAL DETECTION IN FIXED-RATIO SCHEDULES. Science. 1965 Apr 23;148(3669):526–527. doi: 10.1126/science.148.3669.526. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stubbs A. The discrimination of stimulus duration by pigeons. J Exp Anal Behav. 1968 May;11(3):223–238. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1968.11-223. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Terman M. Discrimination of auditory intensities by rats. J Exp Anal Behav. 1970 Mar;13(2):145–160. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1970.13-145. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]