INVESTIGATION OF TWO PARAMETERS THAT ESTABLISH SELF-CONTROLLED EATING IN THE PIGEON.
Item
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Title
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INVESTIGATION OF TWO PARAMETERS THAT ESTABLISH SELF-CONTROLLED EATING IN THE PIGEON.
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Identifier
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AAI8401892
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identifier
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8401892
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Creator
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COLL, GUADALUPE.
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Contributor
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William N. Shoenfeld
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Date
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1983
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Experimental
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Abstract
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The acquisition and maintenance of self-control were studied using a trial by trial procedure as described by Cole et al., 1982. A trial consisted of two hopper presentations and one intertrial interval (ITI). The hopper (SR1) was presented for an assigned criterion time, at the end of which, if the animal had not approached SR1, the house light came on and SR1 was removed. A key-peck on the center key produced a second presentation of the hopper (SR2) and the bird was then allowed to eat from it for three seconds. A trial was correct if the bird did not approach SR1. A subject's approach to SR1 caused its immediate removal and SR2 was cancelled.;Two parameters of this procedure were investigated: (A) The probability that the presentation of SR2 would require a key-peck after a criterion wait. Six probabilities were investigated: 1.000, 0.750, 0.500, 0.250, 0.125, and 0.000. (B) The probability of reinforcement (SR2). Six values were investigated; 1.000, 0.500, 0.375, 0.250, 0.125, and 0.000.;A group of six pigeons was randomly assigned to each one of these six values for each variable. Training was considered complete after five consecutive sessions with at least 80% correct trials at SR1 of 10 seconds. The group at probability of 1.000 was divided into two subgroups to study the effects of gradually decreasing the probabilities of variables A and B.;When variable A was investigated only at P = 1.000 all subjects reached the acquisition criterion. However, once the behavior has been acquired, the key-peck could be eliminated completely and the behavior was maintained.;A decrease in the probability of variable B to a value of 0.250 brought about a decrease in the number of subjects acquiring self-control.;It was concluded that although reinforcement is both necessary and sufficient to maintain self-controlled behavior, it may be insufficient to establish it. An intervening response (key-peck) is required during acquisition to transform a partially successful procedure into one that is reliable for all subjects.;The success of the present procedure was compared to that of other self-control studies.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
