Rapid acquisition of choice and timing in pigeons

Author(s)
Kyonka, Elizabeth
Grace, Randolph C
Publication Date
2007
Abstract
Pigeons were trained on a concurrent-chains procedure in which the initial link associated with the shorter terminal-link delay to food changed unpredictably across sessions. In the minimal-variation condition, delays were always 10 s and 20 s, whereas in the maximal-variation condition delays were generated pseudorandomly for each session. On some terminal links, food was withheld to obtain measures of temporal control. Measures of choice (log initial-link response ratios) and timing (start and stop times on no-food trials) showed temporal control and stabilized within the 1st half of each session. In the maximal-variation condition, choice was a nonlinear function of the log delay ratio, consistent with a categorical discrimination but contrary to models based on the matching law. Residuals from separate regressions of log response and log start and stop time ratios on log delay ratios were positively correlated. Overall, results support cognitive models that assume that initial-link choice is based on an all-or-none decision process, and that choice and timing are mediated by a common representation of delay.
Citation
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, 33(4), p. 392-408
ISSN
1939-2184
0097-7403
Link
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Title
Rapid acquisition of choice and timing in pigeons
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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