Masters Thesis

The effects of concurrent reinforcement of variability and differential outcomes on pigeons' acquisition rate learning a difficult target sequence

This study investigated if the addition of a differential outcomes arrangement to direct reinforcement of variability would further facilitate learning a difficult target sequence. Four White Carneau pigeons (Columba livia) of undetermined sex using an alternating treatment design were used in this experiment. Differential outcomes included differences in food hopper light color and amount of time to food reinforcement between two concurrently available reinforcement schedules. Three of four birds learned the target sequence sooner and more consistently when differential outcomes were implemented compared to when they were not (i.e. equal outcomes). Findings add to the literature by showing that differential outcomes can be used in addition to concurrent reinforcement of variability to further expedite pigeons learning difficult sequences. The importance of both variability and repetition (stereotypy) are discussed in real-world situations and in their role while learning difficult target sequences.

Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.