Stimulus repetition effects on texture-based visual search by pigeons.
Four experiments investigated the effects of within-session stimulus repetition on texture discrimination. Six pigeons (Columba livia) searched for a contrasting target region (color or shape) randomly embedded within a larger distractor region for food reinforcement. Experiment 1 found that repeating features of the distractors, but not those of the target, across trials increased the accuracy of target localization relative to baseline. Experiment 2 found that subsequently switching the identity of a repeated distractor feature to the target decreased accuracy. Experiment 3 found that the effects of repeating a distractor feature influenced search performance for at least 60 trials after this learning. Experiment 4 found that differential stimulus-outcome relations can produce control by repeated target features. The results are discussed in terms of the factors and strategies involved in the control of avian visual search behavior.
Katz
J S
JS
Department of Psychology, Tufts University, USA. jkatz@nba19.med.uth.tmc.edu
Cook
R G
RG
D000818:Animals; D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology