title: A paradigm for operant conditioning in blow flies (Phormia terrae novae Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830).
abstract: An operant conditioning situation for the blow fly (Protophormia terrae novae) is described. Individual flies are trained to enter and reenter a hole as the operant response. Only a few sessions of contingent reinforcement are required to increase response rates. When the response is no longer followed by food, the rate of entering the hole decreases. Control procedures revealed that rate of responding is not a simple overall result of feeding or of aging. The flies entered into the hole only if the response was required to obtain the food.
authors.affiliation: Université de Picardie Jules Verne - Unité Dynamiques des Systèmes Anthropisés ( JE 2532), Dpt de Psychologie, Chemin du Thil, F-80025 Amiens, Cedex 1, France. michel.sokolowski@u-picardie.fr
authors.forename: Michel B C
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sokolowski
authors.forename: Gérald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Disma
authors.forename: Charles I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Abramson
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D004175:Diptera; D005502:Food; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology