Abstract
Grain displayed behind a transparent response key was used as a stimulus to prime the pecking response of pigeons. After different numbers of primed responses reinforced by the delivery of food below the key, responses in extinction were measured in the absence of the priming stimulus. In producing initial responses the priming stimulus was found to be highly effective, and generalization occurred to the key alone. Within the range of 5 to 355 priming trials the maximum effect was obtained with 30 trials.
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This research was supported in part by the Medical Research Council of Great Britain.
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Reid, R.L., French, A. & Pollard, J.S. Priming the pecking response in pigeons. Psychon Sci 14, 227 (1969). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332807
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332807