Reinforced variability and sequence learning in hens, possums and humans

Title
Reinforced variability and sequence learning in hens, possums and humans
Publication Date
2012
Author(s)
Doolan, Kathleen
Bizo, Lewis
McEwan, James
Type of document
Conference Publication
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
New Zealand Association for Behaviour Analysis (NZABA)
Place of publication
Auckland, New Zealand
UNE publication id
une:21265
Abstract
Previous research shows that reinforcement of variable responding will facilitate sequence learning in rats (Neuringer, Deiss & Olson, 2000) but may interfere with sequence learning in humans (Maes & van der Goot, 2006). The present study aimed to replicate and extend previous research by assessing the role of behavioural variability in the learning of difficult target sequences across 3 species: humans (n = 60), hens (n = 18) and possums (n = 6). Participants were randomly allocated to one of three experimental conditions (Control, Variable, Any). In the Control conditions sequences were only reinforced if they were the target sequence, in the Variability conditions sequences were concurrently reinforced on a Variable Interval 60-s schedule if the just entered sequence met a variability criterion, and in the Any condition sequences were concurrently reinforced on a Variable Interval 60-s schedule for any sequence entered. The results support previous findings with animals and humans; hens and possums were more likely to learn the target sequence in the Variability condition, and human participants were more likely to learn the target sequence in the Control condition. Possible explanations for differences between the performance of humans and animals on this task will be discussed.
Link
Citation
New Zealand Association for Behaviour Analysis 9th Annual Conference Programme, p. 11-11
Start page
11
End page
11

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