title: Operant generalization of auditory tempo in quail neonates.
abstract: Operant generalization, a building block of cognition, has never been studied in neonates. We developed a preparation for newly hatched quail in order to investigate the form of the generalization gradient very early in development. For their first 4-5 days after hatching, northern bobwhite chicks pecked for brief heat presentations while hearing a high-pitched sound repeated at a constant rate (nondifferential training). Tempo generalization was then assessed in extinction. A significantly excitatory average gradient resulted despite minimal postnatal experience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA. schneids@fiu.edu
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lickliter
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001245:Association Learning; D001307:Auditory Perception; D003088:Colinus; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D005108:Extinction, Psychological; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D013998:Time Perception