Generalization of Indicator Needle Position in the Pigeon

Abstract

Generalization gradients were obtained by a maintained generalization testing procedure from pigeons. The stimulus continuum along which the gradients were obtained was the position of the indicator needle of a volt meter. The decline in the proportion of responses emitted to a stimulus as it became more remote from the stimulus paired with reinforcement was found to be a joint function of absolute and relative stimulus properties. The gradients obtained with needle position as the test continuum resembled those obtained with more traditional continua in the form of the gradient and in the multidimensional nature of control exerted upon the gradient.