Observing responses controlled by signaling stimuli of reinforcement and extinction

Abstract

The present investigation assessed the conditioned reinforcing/aversive vaule stimuli that signal reinforcement (S+) and extinction (S-) in the maintenance of pigcons´observing responses. Food-deprived pigeons were given a series of discrete trials. Half of the trials ended with response-independent food presentation and half without food presentation; the sequence of food and no-food trials was random. At the beginning of each trial, the single response key available in the operant chamber was illuminated with white light. During the trial was scheduled to end with food or food. Thus, pecking the white key functioned as an observing response because it produced signaling stimuli (the red and green key colors). In baseline conditions, pecking the white key produced color change on a variable-interval schedule; once changed, keys remained either red or green until the end of the trial. Baseline and experimental conditions alternated. During the main experimental condtions, red or green presentations were contingent upon 15 followed by 24 pecks in addition to the variable-interval requirement (tand VI FR). Results showed that the pigeons observing behavior adjusted to the experimental condition requirements (tand VI FR) so that both key colors were produced. The S- key color was produced more often than the S+ color. In addition the results showed that During the trial duration. S+ production occurred earlier in the trial, whereas S-production tended to be gradual across the trial length. The results suggest that S- may have functioned as a conditioned reinforcer. These findings diverge from the existing data   with pigens. Data analysis indicate that the variables controlling the pigeons observing responses, specially those variables that relate the interactions between the observing behavior and other ongoing contingencies (preparatory responses, for instances), are only partially known at present.