Abstract
The present experiments investigated blocking effects in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) in a discrimination learning paradigm using a single stimulus modality. Two experimental chambers were used. In one the monkeys were required to operate a joystick in order to manipulate a Pacman figure to consume one of two stimuli (S+ and S-) appearing on a video screen. In the other the monkeys were required to press Plexiglas panels mounted in front of the screens to indicate their choice of the stimuli. Correct responses resulted in the delivery of marshmallows. Results indicated (a) consistent occurrence of blocking, (b) no unblocking due to increased magnitude of reward, and (c) no differences due to task requirements in the two different chambers. These studies extend our knowledge of blocking effects to monkeys and provide novel procedures for using monkeys in basic learning research.
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Williams, S.L., Haddad, N.F. & Strobel, D.A. Blocking Effects in Two-Choice Discrimination Tasks in Rhesus Monkeys Macaca Mulatta. Psychol Rec 39, 471–481 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395075
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395075