Abstract
Bateson and Chantrey (1972) have shown a retardation of visual discrimination learning in chicks previously exposed to the discriminanda. They explained their results in terms of an imprinting mechanism whereby a young bird learns the various characteristics of an object and classifies them together. In the present study, chicks were exposed to 390 Hz, 295 Hz, 390 and 200 Hz, or “no sound” together with a flashing blue light. They were then required to learn to discriminate between 390 Hz and 200 Hz, with the light as reinforcer. There was no indication of classification together of the auditory stimuli or the auditory and visual stimuli. Few chicks, regardless of prior experience, learned the discrimination. Explanations for the inability to learn are proposed.
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Petro, M.S., Capretta, P.J. & Cooper, A.J. Auditory discrimination learning in chicks after exposure to auditory and visual stimuli. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 12, 385–386 (1978). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329715
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329715