| Records |
| Author |
Neuringer, A. |
| Title |
Reinforced variability in animals and people: implications for adaptive action |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
The American Psychologist |
Abbreviated Journal |
Am Psychol |
| Volume |
59 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages  |
891-906 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Behavior, Animal; *Choice Behavior; Conditioning, Operant; Creativeness; Discrimination (Psychology); Humans; Memory; Problem Solving; *Reinforcement (Psychology) |
| Abstract |
Although reinforcement often leads to repetitive, even stereotyped responding, that is not a necessary outcome. When it depends on variations, reinforcement results in responding that is diverse, novel, indeed unpredictable, with distributions sometimes approaching those of a random process. This article reviews evidence for the powerful and precise control by reinforcement over behavioral variability, evidence obtained from human and animal-model studies, and implications of such control. For example, reinforcement of variability facilitates learning of complex new responses, aids problem solving, and may contribute to creativity. Depression and autism are characterized by abnormally repetitive behaviors, but individuals afflicted with such psychopathologies can learn to vary their behaviors when reinforced for so doing. And reinforced variability may help to solve a basic puzzle concerning the nature of voluntary action. |
| Address |
Department of Psychology, Reed College, Portland, OR 97202, USA. allen.neuringer@reed.edu |
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English |
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0003-066X |
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PMID:15584823 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4106 |
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| Author |
Sankey, C.; Richard-Yris, M.-A.; Henry, S.; Fureix, C.; Nassur, F.; Hausberger, M. |
| Title |
Reinforcement as a mediator of the perception of humans by horses (Equus caballus) |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2010 |
Publication |
Animal Cognition |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Cogn. |
| Volume |
13 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
753-764-764 |
| Keywords |
Perception of humans – Human/animal relationship – Positive reinforcement – Negative reinforcement – Equus caballus |
| Abstract |
A central question in the interspecific human/animal relationship is how domestic animals perceive humans as a significant element of their environment. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the use of positive or negative reinforcement in horse training may have consequences on the animals’ perception of humans, as a positive, negative or neutral element. Two groups of ponies were trained to walk backwards in response to a vocal order using either positive or negative reinforcement. Heart rate monitors and behavioural observations were used to assess the animals’ perception of humans on the short (just after training) and long (5 months later) terms. The results showed that the type of reinforcement had a major effect on the subsequent animals’ perception of familiar and unfamiliar humans. Negative reinforcement was rapidly associated with an increased emotional state, as revealed by heart rate measurements and behavioural observations (head movements and ears laid back position). Its use led the ponies to seek less contact with humans. On the contrary, ponies trained with positive reinforcement showed an increased interest in humans and sought contact after training. This is especially remarkable as it was reached in a maximum of 5 sessions of 1 to 3 min (i.e. 5 to 15 min) and had lasting effects (visible after 5 months). Even learning was positively influenced by positive reinforcement. Overall, horses seem capable of associating humans to particular experiences and display extended long-term memory abilities. |
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Springer Berlin / Heidelberg |
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1435-9448 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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5175 |
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| Author |
Sole, L.M.; Shettleworth, S.J.; Bennett, P.J. |
| Title |
Uncertainty in pigeons |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Psychonomic bulletin & review |
Abbreviated Journal |
Psychon Bull Rev |
| Volume |
10 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
738-745 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Behavior, Animal; Columbidae; *Decision Making; Reinforcement (Psychology); Reward; Transfer (Psychology); Visual Perception |
| Abstract |
Pigeons classified a display of illuminated pixels on a touchscreen as sparse or dense. Correct responses were reinforced with six food pellets; incorrect responses were unreinforced. On some trials an uncertain response option was available. Pecking it was always reinforced with an intermediate number of pellets. Like monkeys and people in related experiments, the birds chose the uncertain response most often when the stimulus presented was difficult to classify correctly, but in other respects their behavior was not functionally similar to human behavior based on conscious uncertainty or to the behavior of monkeys in comparable experiments. Our data were well described by a signal detection model that assumed that the birds were maximizing perceived reward in a consistent way across all the experimental conditions. |
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University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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English |
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| ISSN |
1069-9384 |
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| Notes |
PMID:14620372 |
Approved |
no |
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refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
366 |
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| Author |
Pickens, C.L.; Holland, P.C. |
| Title |
Conditioning and cognition |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews |
Abbreviated Journal |
Neurosci Biobehav Rev |
| Volume |
28 |
Issue |
7 |
Pages |
651-661 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Association Learning/physiology; Cognition/*physiology; Conditioning (Psychology)/*physiology; Discrimination Learning/physiology; Humans; Memory; Models, Psychological; Reinforcement (Psychology); Visual Perception/physiology |
| Abstract |
Animals' abilities to use internal representations of absent objects to guide adaptive behavior and acquire new information, and to represent multiple spatial, temporal, and object properties of complex events and event sequences, may underlie many aspects of human perception, memory, and symbolic thought. In this review, two classes of simple associative learning tasks that address these core cognitive capacities are discussed. The first set, including reinforcer revaluation and mediated learning procedures, address the power of Pavlovian conditioned stimuli to gain access, through learning, to representations of upcoming events. The second set of investigations concern the construction of complex stimulus representations, as illustrated in studies of contextual learning, the conjunction of explicit stimulus elements in configural learning procedures, and recent studies of episodic-like memory. The importance of identifying both cognitive process and brain system bases of performance in animal models is emphasized. |
| Address |
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA |
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English |
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0149-7634 |
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PMID:15555675 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2803 |
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| Author |
Dougherty, D.M.; Lewis, P. |
| Title |
Generalization of a tactile stimulus in horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1993 |
Publication |
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Exp Anal Behav |
| Volume |
59 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
521-528 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Behavior, Animal; Female; *Horses; Male; Reinforcement (Psychology); *Touch |
| Abstract |
Using horses, we investigated the control of operant behavior by a tactile stimulus (the training stimulus) and the generalization of behavior to six other similar test stimuli. In a stall, the experimenters mounted a response panel in the doorway. Located on this panel were a response lever and a grain dispenser. The experimenters secured a tactile-stimulus belt to the horse's back. The stimulus belt was constructed by mounting seven solenoids along a piece of burlap in a manner that allowed each to provide the delivery of a tactile stimulus, a repetitive light tapping, at different locations (spaced 10.0 cm apart) along the horse's back. Two preliminary steps were necessary before generalization testing: training a measurable response (lip pressing) and training on several reinforcement schedules in the presence of a training stimulus (tapping by one of the solenoids). We then gave each horse two generalization test sessions. Results indicated that the horses' behavior was effectively controlled by the training stimulus. Horses made the greatest number of responses to the training stimulus, and the tendency to respond to the other test stimuli diminished as the stimuli became farther away from the training stimulus. These findings are discussed in the context of behavioral principles and their relevance to the training of horses. |
| Address |
Human Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston 77030 |
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English |
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0022-5002 |
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| Notes |
PMID:8315368 |
Approved |
no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
3571 |
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| Author |
Roper, K.L.; Zentall, T.R. |
| Title |
Directed forgetting in animals |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1993 |
Publication |
Psychological bulletin |
Abbreviated Journal |
Psychol Bull |
| Volume |
113 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
513-532 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Behavior, Animal; *Cognition; Columbidae; Conditioning (Psychology); Discrimination Learning; Female; Humans; Male; Memory Disorders/*psychology; Reinforcement (Psychology); Task Performance and Analysis |
| Abstract |
Directed-forgetting research with animals suggests that animals show disrupted test performance only under certain conditions. Important variables are (a) whether during training, the cue to forget (F cue) signals nonreward (i.e., that the trial is over) versus reward (i.e., that reinforcement can be obtained) and (b) given that reinforcement can be obtained on F-cue trials, whether the post-F-cue response pattern is compatible with the baseline memory task. It is proposed that some findings of directed forgetting can be attributed to trained response biases, whereas others may be attributable perhaps to frustration-produced interference. It is suggested that directed forgetting in animals should be studied using procedures similar to those used to study directed forgetting in humans. This can be accomplished by presenting, within a trial, both to-be-remembered and to-be-forgotten material. |
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Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506 |
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English |
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0033-2909 |
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| Notes |
PMID:8316612 |
Approved |
no |
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refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
259 |
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| Author |
Christensen, J.W.; Rundgren, M.; Olsson, K. |
| Title |
Training methods for horses: habituation to a frightening stimulus |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Equine veterinary journal |
Abbreviated Journal |
Equine Vet J |
| Volume |
38 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
439-443 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Behavior, Animal/*physiology; *Conditioning (Psychology); *Fear; Heart Rate/*physiology; Horses/physiology/*psychology; Learning; Male; Random Allocation; *Reinforcement (Psychology); Safety; Time Factors |
| Abstract |
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Responses of horses in frightening situations are important for both equine and human safety. Considerable scientific interest has been shown in development of reactivity tests, but little effort has been dedicated to the development of appropriate training methods for reducing fearfulness. OBJECTIVES: To investigate which of 3 different training methods (habituation, desensitisation and counter-conditioning) was most effective in teaching horses to react calmly in a potentially frightening situation. HYPOTHESES: 1) Horses are able to generalise about the test stimulus such that, once familiar with the test stimulus in one situation, it appears less frightening and elicits a reduced response even when the stimulus intensity is increased or the stimulus is presented differently; and 2) alternative methods such as desensitisation and counter-conditioning would be more efficient than a classic habituation approach. METHODS: Twenty-seven naive 2-year-old Danish Warmblood stallions were trained according to 3 different methods, based on classical learning theory: 1) horses (n = 9) were exposed to the full stimulus (a moving, white nylon bag, 1.2 x 0.75 m) in 5 daily training sessions until they met a predefined habituation criterion (habituation); 2) horses (n = 9) were introduced gradually to the stimulus and habituated to each step before the full stimulus was applied (desensitisation); 3) horses (n = 9) were trained to associate the stimulus with a positive reward before being exposed to the full stimulus (counter-conditioning). Each horse received 5 training sessions of 3 min per day. Heart rate and behavioural responses were recorded. RESULTS: Horses trained with the desensitisation method showed fewer flight responses in total and needed fewer training sessions to learn to react calmly to test stimuli. Variations in heart rate persisted even when behavioural responses had ceased. In addition, all horses on the desensitisation method eventually habituated to the test stimulus whereas some horses on the other methods did not. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Desensitisation appeared to be the most effective training method for horses in frightening situations. Further research is needed in order to investigate the role of positive reinforcement, such as offering food, in the training of horses. |
| Address |
Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition, Tjele, Denmark |
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English |
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| ISSN |
0425-1644 |
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| Notes |
PMID:16986605 |
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no |
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Serial |
1783 |
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| Author |
Kaiser, D.H.; Zentall, T.R.; Neiman, E. |
| Title |
Timing in pigeons: effects of the similarity between intertrial interval and gap in a timing signal |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Journal of experimental psychology. Animal behavior processes |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process |
| Volume |
28 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
416-422 |
| Keywords |
Animals; *Attention; Columbidae; *Conditioning, Operant; Discrimination Learning; Mental Recall; Probability Learning; *Reinforcement (Psychology); *Reinforcement Schedule; Retention (Psychology); Time Factors; *Time Perception/physiology |
| Abstract |
Previous research suggests that when a fixed interval is interrupted (known as the gap procedure), pigeons tend to reset memory and start timing from 0 after the gap. However, because the ambient conditions of the gap typically have been the same as during the intertrial interval (ITI), ambiguity may have resulted. In the present experiment, the authors found that when ambient conditions during the gap were similar to the ITI, pigeons tended to reset memory, but when ambient conditions during the gap were different from the ITI, pigeons tended to stop timing, retain the duration of the stimulus in memory, and add to that time when the stimulus reappeared. Thus, when the gap was unambiguous, pigeons timed accurately. |
| Address |
Department of Psychology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA. kaiserd@mail.ecu.edu |
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English |
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0097-7403 |
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PMID:12395499 |
Approved |
no |
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refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
238 |
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Ferguson, D.L.; Rosales-Ruiz, J. |
| Title |
Loading the problem loader: the effects of target training and shaping on trailer-loading behavior of horses |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2001 |
Publication |
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Appl Behav Anal |
| Volume |
34 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
409-423 |
| Keywords |
Animals; *Conditioning, Operant; *Escape Reaction; Female; Horses/*psychology; Reinforcement (Psychology); *Transportation |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study was to develop an effective method for trailer loading horses based on principles of positive reinforcement. Target training and shaping were used to teach trailer-loading behavior to 5 quarter horse mares in a natural setting. All 5 had been trailer loaded before through the use of aversive stimulation. Successive approximations to loading and inappropriate behaviors were the dependent variables. After training a horse to approach a target, the target was moved to various locations inside the trailer. Horses started training on the left side of a two-horse trailer. After a horse was loading on the left side, she was moved to the right side, then to loading half on the right and half on the left. A limited-hold procedure and the presence of a companion horse seemed to facilitate training for 1 horse. Inappropriate behaviors fell to zero immediately after target training, and all the horses successfully completed the shaping sequence. Finally, these effects were observed to generalize to novel conditions (a different trainer and a different trailer). |
| Address |
University of North Texas, Denton 76203, USA |
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English |
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0021-8855 |
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PMID:11800182 |
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no |
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refbase @ user @ |
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1915 |
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Nallan, G.B.; Pace, G.M.; McCoy, D.F.; Zentall, T.R. |
| Title |
The role of elicited responding in the feature-positive effect |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1983 |
Publication |
The American journal of psychology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Am J Psychol |
| Volume |
96 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
377-390 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Color Perception; Columbidae; *Discrimination (Psychology); Male; Practice (Psychology); Reinforcement (Psychology); Time Factors |
| Abstract |
Hearst and Jenkins proposed in 1974 that elicited responding accounts for the feature-positive effect. To test this position, pigeons were exposed to a feature-positive or feature-negative discrimination between successively presented displays--one consisted of a red and a green response key and the other consisted of two green response keys. There were four main conditions: 5-5 (5-sec trials, 5-sec intertrial intervals), 5-30, 30-30, and 30-180. Conditions 5-30 and 30-180 should produce the largest amount of elicited responding, and therefore the largest feature-positive effects. A response-independent bird was yoked to each response-dependent bird to allow direct assessment of the amount of elicited responding generated by each condition. Contrary to the predictions by Hearst and Jenkins's theory, response-dependent birds showed large feature-positive effects in each condition. The largest feature-positive effect was obtained in condition 5-5. Response-independent birds produced similar results, but manifested low response rates. |
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0002-9556 |
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| Notes |
PMID:6650707 |
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no |
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refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
266 |
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