Abstract
Two auditory (1- and 2-kHz tones) and two visual (red and white lights) stimuli were used as discriminanda in classical heart rate and instrumental conditioning situations employing the same pigeons as subjects. It was found that while discrimination of the tones was demonstrated easily in the classical situation, a discrimination of the colors was not. Conversely, while discrimination of the colors was achieved quickly in the instrumental situation, a discrimination of the tones was not. These results are discussed in the context of specific learning constraints and viewed as consequences of the adaptation of pigeons to their normal environment.
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Reference Note
EMMERTON, J. A. 1975. The colour vision of the pigeon. Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Durham, U. K.
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The work was supported by a Science Research Council (London) grant. It was carried out while the authors were at the Department of Psychology, University of Durham, England. We thank Dr. A. Still for advice and A. Perry, D. Harper and M. Harper, D. Barton, M. Rollings and J. Dobson for assistance of various kinds. We are also grateful to Prof. M. E. Bitterman and Dr. I. Schmidt for criticizing an earlier draft.
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Delius, J.D., Emmerton, J. Stimulus-Dependent Asymmetry in Classical and Instrumental Discrimination Learning by Pigeons. Psychol Rec 28, 425–434 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394554
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394554