THE EFFECTS OF DELAY, SIGNAL PLACEMENT AND HOUSELIGHT ILLUMINATION ON SIGNALLED REVERSAL LEARNING

<p>The control of behavior by prior responses and stimuli was studied using pigeons in a signalled reversal learning procedure. During regular trials, an intertrial interval was followed by illumination of two keys. Initially one key was designated correct. A peck to either key turned off both keys and, if correct, produced food. After a criterion number of consecutive correct responses occurred, a reversal/nonreversal sequence was initiated. Either the reversal or nonreversal signal was presented briefly during the next intertrial interval. Following a reversal signal only, the correct and incorrect keys were reversed. A correct response on the next trial resulted in a larger food reinforcer. Responding on this trial type provided the major dependent measures of behavior. Following this, the regular sequence was reinstated.</p><p>The duration of the intertrial interval was varied from 0 to 30 sec on reversal/nonreversal trials, and the reversal/nonreversal signal could occur either at the beginning or end of the interval. Accuracy was inversely related to delay and was greater on late-signal trials. Finally, during baseline, the houselight was on for some birds and off for others during the interval. In a later phase, all birds were exposed to both conditions. Baseline illumination did not affect accuracy, but accuracy was lowered by changes in illumination.</p><p>The results were examined with respect to two cognitive accounts of memory coding. However, a behavioral account based on the effects of delays on stimulus control was adequate, and entailed fewer theoretical assumptions.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year

1983

Author dc:creator

• YARENSKY, PETER

• Psychology
• Experimental

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholars.unh.edu/dissertation/1399

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholars.unh.edu:dissertation-2398