| Records |
| Author |
Langbein, J.; Siebert, K.; Nuernberg, G.; Manteuffel, G. |
| Title |
The impact of acoustical secondary reinforcement during shape discrimination learning of dwarf goats (Capra hircus) |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2007 |
Publication  |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. |
| Volume |
103 |
Issue |
1-2 |
Pages |
35-44 |
| Keywords |
Dwarf goats; Operant conditioning; Visual discrimination learning; Secondary reinforcement |
| Abstract |
The use of secondary reinforcement is widely accepted to support operant learning in animals. In farm animals, however, the efficacy of secondary reinforcement has up to now been studied systematically only in horses (“clicker training”), and the results are controversial. We investigated the impact of acoustical secondary reinforcement on voluntary, self-controlled visual discrimination learning of two-dimensional shapes in group-housed dwarf goats (Capra hircus). Learning tests were conducted applying a computer-controlled learning device that was integrated in the animals' home pen. Shapes were presented on a TFT-screen using a four-choice design. Drinking water was used as primary reinforcement. In the control group (Gcontrol, n = 5) animals received only primary reinforcement, whereas in the sound group (Gsound, n = 6) animals got additional acoustical secondary reinforcement. Testing recall of shapes which had been successfully learned by the goats 6 weeks earlier (T1), we found a weak impact of secondary reinforcement on daily learning success (P = 0.07), but not on the number of trials the animals needed to reach the learning criterion (trials to criterion, n.s.). Results in T1 indicated that dwarf goats did not instantly recall previously learned shapes, but, re-learned within 250-450 trials. When learning a set of new shapes (T2), there was a strong influence of secondary reinforcement on daily learning success and on trials to criterion. Animals in Gsound reached the learning criterion earlier (P < 0.05) and needed fewer trials (1320 versus 3700; P < 0.01), compared to animals in Gcontrol. Results suggest that acoustical secondary reinforcement supports visual discrimination learning of dwarf goats, especially when the task is new and the salience of S+ is low. |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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3583 |
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Shalaby, A.M. |
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Host-preference observations on Anopheles culicifacies (Diptera: Culicidae) in Gujarat State, India |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
1969 |
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Annals of the Entomological Society of America |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ann Entomol Soc Am |
| Volume |
62 |
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6 |
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1270-1273 |
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Animals; *Anopheles; Cattle; *Ddt; Dogs; Ecology; Female; Goats; Horses; Humans; India; *Insect Vectors; *Insecticide Resistance; Precipitin Tests; Sheep |
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English |
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0013-8746 |
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PMID:5374165 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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2739 |
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Roitberg, E.; Franz, H. |
| Title |
Oddity learning by African dwarf goats ( Capra hircus) |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Animal Cognition |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anim. Cogn. |
| Volume |
7 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
61-67 |
| Keywords |
Animals; *Cues; Female; Goats/*physiology; *Pattern Recognition, Visual; *Task Performance and Analysis |
| Abstract |
Seventeen African dwarf goats (adult females) were trained on oddity tasks using an automated learning device. One odd stimulus and three identical nonodd stimuli were presented on a screen divided into four sectors; the sector for the odd stimulus was varied pseudorandomly. Responses to the odd stimulus were deemed to be correct and were reinforced with food. In phase 1, the goats were trained on eight stimulus configurations. From trial to trial the odd discriminandum was either a + symbol or the letter S, and the nonodd discriminandum was the symbol not used as the odd one. In phase 2, the animals were similarly trained using an unfilled triangle or a filled (i.e., solid black) circle. In phase 3, three new discriminanda were used, an unfilled, small circle with radiating lines, an unfilled heart-shaped symbol, and an unfilled oval; which of the three discriminanda was odd and nonodd was varied from trial to trial. Following these training phases, a transfer test was given, which involved 24 new discriminanda sets. These were presented twice for a total of 48 transfer test trials. Results early in training showed approximately 25% correct, which might be expected by chance in a four-choice task. After 500-2,000 trials, results improved to approximately 40-44% correct. The best-performing subject reached 60-80% correct during training. On the transfer test, this subject had 47.9% correct and that significantly exceeded 25% expected by chance. This finding suggests that some exceptional individuals of African dwarf goats are capable of learning the oddity concept. |
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Forschungsinstitut fur die Biologie landwirtschaftlicher Nutztiere, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Germany. Roitberg@fbn-dummerstorf.de |
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1435-9448 |
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PMID:13680403 |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
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2554 |
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