Abstract
4 groups of chickens were hatched and reared in the presence of 1 of 4 rearing lights. 1 of the 4 lights was white and 3 had peak intensities at 435, 545, and 630 mµ, respectively. Each group was further divided into 3 sub-groups which received training to peck a key trans-illuminated by light having a peak intensity at 1 of the 3 wavelengths given above. Generalization tests were administered over the wavelength continuum. It was concluded that rearing in a limited band of wavelengths, as opposed to white light, had no discernable effects on wavelength generalization. Rearing in a narrow band of wavelengths different from the band of wavelengths present during training did not produce wavelength generalization behavior which differed from that produced by rearing and training in the same band of wavelengths.
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This research was initiated with the participation of Dr. Werner K. Honig. Much of the apparatus was originally purchased with funds from Research Grant No. M-02414 from The National Institute of Mental Health issued to Honig. Partial support was also obtained from Research Grant No. M-2398 from the National Institute of Mental Health issued to Mountjoy and grants from the Denison University Research Foundation issued to Honig and Mountjoy.
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Mountjoy, P.T., Malott, M.K. Wavelength Generalization Curves for Chickens Reared in Restricted Portions of the Spectrum. Psychol Rec 18, 575–584 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393808
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393808