Abstract
Six pigeons learned a successive discrimination where S+ was a vertical line on a green background, and S− was either (a) a green background, (b) a red background, or (c) a vertical line on a red background. Generataon of responding to the angular orientation of line on green, dark, and red backgrounds was evaluated. Also, a component stimulus test was conducted in which green, line on green, red, line on red, dark, and line on dark, appeared separately. Steep generalization gradients were obtained from all Ss when angular orientation was varied on the green background, and similar gradients were obtained from all but one S when the background was dark. These results indicated stimulus control by line for Ss in all groups. However, results of the component stimulus test indicated clear stimulus control by line only in the case of the two Ss trained under condition (a) above, and one of the Ss in condition (b). Component stimulus tests for the other three Ss produced no clear evidence of stimulus control by line. Of the two testing methods used to determine stimulus control, stimulus generalization testing appeared to be the most sensitive and easiest to interpret.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
BORN, D. G. & PETERSON, J. L. 1969. Stimulus control by components of two color-form compound stimuli. Journal of tlie Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 12, 437–442.
ECKERMAN, D. A. 1967. Stimulus control by part of a complex SΔ. Psychonomie Science, 7, 299–300.
FINK, J. B. & PATTON, R. M. 1953. Decrement of a learned drinking response accompanying changes in several stimulus characteristics. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 46, 23–27.
HOUSE, BETTY, & ZEAMAN, D. 1963. Miniature experiments in the discrimination learning of retardates. In L. P. Lipsitt and C. C. Spiker (Eds.), Advances in child development and behavior. New York: Academic Press, Pp. 313–374.
JOHNSON, D. F. & CUMMING, W. W. 1968. Some determiners of attention. Journal of the Experimental Analysis, Behavior, 11, 157, 166.
NEWMAN, F. L. & BARON, M. R. 1965. Stimulus generalization along the dimension of angularity: a comparison of training procedures. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 60, 59–63.
RAZRAN, G. 1965. Empirical codifications and specific theoretical implications of compound-stimulus conditioning: perception. In W. F. Prokasy (Ed.), Classical conditioning. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, Pp. 226–248.
REYNOLDS, G. S. 1961. Attention in the pigeon. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 4, 203–208.
SPERLING, SALLY E. 1966. Irrelevant stimuli present all or half of the time as subsequent discriminanda. Psychonomie Science, 4, 195–196.
TERRACE, H. S. 1966. Stimulus control. In W. K. Honig (Ed.) Operant behavior: Areas of research and application. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, Pp. 271–344.
WILLIAMS, D. I. 1967. Constant irrelevant cue learning in the pigeon. Animal Behavior, 15, 229–230.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by Grant No. MH 10864 from the National Institute of Mental Health. An earlier version of this paper was read by the second author at the annual meetings of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, 1967.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Born, D.G., Snow, M.E. Stimulus Control by Relevant, Irrelevant, and Redundant Components of Complex Stimuli as Assessed by Two Testing Methods. Psychol Rec 20, 311–319 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393947
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393947