Domain is a moving target for relational learning.
The domain for relational learning was manipulated by varying the training set size for pigeons that had learned the same/different (S/D) concept. Six pigeons that had learned a S/D task with pairs of pictures with a set size of 1024 picture items had their training set size reduced to 8 items. Training on the reduced 8-item set was followed by transfer testing that was repeated four times. Transfer performance following reduction of the training set to 8 items was 9.2% less than it had been when the pigeons were trained with the 1024-item set, but 25.8% above chance. This partial abstract-concept learning remained constant over the four tests with novel stimuli. The results show that a broad domain established by a large expanding training set can once again become restricted by further training with a small training set.
Katz
Jeffrey S
JS
Department of Psychology, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States. katzjef@auburn.edu
Sturz
Bradley R
BR
Wright
Anthony A
AA
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D010856:Columbidae; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D012919:Social Behavior; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D014796:Visual Perception