Control by sample location in pigeons' matching to sample.
Three experiments assessed the impact of sample location in pigeons' matching to sample. Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrated that after line or hue identity matching was acquired to high levels of accuracy with center-key samples, varying sample location across the three keys disrupted performances. The drop in accuracy occurred following both zero-delay and simultaneous training and was mostly confined to trials in which the sample appeared on a side key. Experiment 3 attempted to diminish control by location by training birds to match samples that could appear in any location prior to center-key sample training and moving-sample testing with another set of stimuli. In testing, all birds performed accurately on center-sample trials and on side-key sample trials in which the matching choice appeared on the center key. Accuracy was below chance, however, on side-key sample trials in which the matching choice appeared on the other side key. One implication of the persistent control by sample location in the three-key paradigm is that it precludes the possibility of symmetry because symmetry tests require a change in the locations at which samples and comparisons appear.
Lionello
K M
KM
Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA. lionello@psych.purdue.edu
Urcuioli
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D010856:Columbidae; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*