Operant generalization in quail neonates after intradimensional training: Distinguishing positive and negative reinforcement

Abstract

Operant generalization has been demonstrated in neonates only recently. To investigate the development of intradimensional stimulus control immediately after hatching, northern bobwhite chicks (Colinus virginianus) pecked for brief heat presentations while hearing a high-pitched sound repeated at two constant rates: an S+ tempo signaling a rich reinforcement schedule, alternating with an S− tempo signaling a leaner schedule. Tempo generalization was then assessed in extinction. The expected excitatory gradients were produced after a threshold number of training sessions; unexpectedly, below that threshold, gradients were inhibitory. The chicks' rapidly developing thermoregulatory capability may have resulted in a change from perceived negative reinforcement initially to positive reinforcement later. Given past research showing excitatory gradients after negative reinforcement, we suggest that these results demonstrate that all negative reinforcement is not equivalent, and, further, that classical conditioning effects require consideration.

Postdiscrimination Gradients With Familiar and Unfamiliar Faces

“…Discrimination training has been observed to produce gradient shifts with many different stimuli and species (e.g., Cheng et al 2006;Ghirlanda and Enquist 2003;Purtle 1973;Schneider and Lickliter 2010;ten Cate et al 2006). However, discrimination training does not inevitably produce gradient shifts.…”

Choice in Quail Neonates: The Origins of Generalized Matching

“…All chicks that pecked at least 35 times during the autoshaping session were retained in the study. 80% of the birds met this response criterion (the same success rate as in Schneider & Lickliter, 2009, 2010), and these chicks, 80 in number, continued on to participate in the training sessions. Most of these chicks pecked between 40 and 100 times.…”

“…A similar surrogate remained centered in the back of the operant chamber during testing. A combination of random assignment and matching based on weight was utilized (see Schneider & Lickliter, 2010). Each of the four scheduled reinforcement ratio groups reached similar average final weights (range 8.8 g to 9.3 g); however, in the present study, weight was uncorrelated with performance.…”

“…Neonates of several species have been shown to be capable of operant learning immediately after birth (e.g., dogs—Bacon & Wong, 1972; chickens—Delsaut, 1991; rats—Flory, Langley, Pfister, & Alberts, 1997); indeed, newborn quail are able to generalize (e.g., Schneider & Lickliter, 2009, 2010). Because matching entails the ability to make choices that track multiple behavior—consequence relations, however, it may be a higher‐order skill that requires more extensive experience.…”

“…Only one pair of schedules could thus be investigated in each individual, and a group design was employed. We developed a touchscreen preparation with left and right targets at which the chicks pecked for brief presentations of heat (see Schneider & Lickliter, 2009, 2010). The targets were demarcated by “X” and “O” symbols, enhancing discriminability and allowing us to investigate perceptual preference as well as the development of choice.…”