Discriminative stimuli that follow a delay have added value for pigeons.
Clement, Feltus, Kaiser, and Zentall (2000) reported that pigeons prefer discriminative stimuli that require greater effort (more pecks) to obtain over those that require less effort. In the present experiment, we examined two variables associated with this phenomenon. First, we asked whether delay of reinforcement, presumably a relatively aversive event similar to effort, would produce similar effects. Second, we asked whether the stimulus preference produced by a prior relatively aversive event depends on its anticipation. Anticipation of delay was accomplished by signaling its occurrence. Results indicated that delays can produce preferences similar to those produced by increased effort, but only if the delays are signaled.
DiGian
Kelly A
KA
University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0044, USA.
Friedrich
Andrea M
AM
Zentall
Thomas R
TR
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002755:Choice Behavior; D010856:Columbidae; D003463:Cues; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological
Psychol Bull. 1981 Jan;89(1):163-75
7232608
Psychol Bull. 1993 Jul;114(1):80-99
8346330
J Exp Anal Behav. 1969 Sep;12(5):723-30
16811396
Psychon Bull Rev. 2000 Mar;7(1):100-6
10780022
J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process. 2002 Jan;28(1):64-74
11868235