Abstract
Pigeons were trained to discriminate between a circular field containing a centrally located spot of light and an evenly illuminated circular field. During generalization tests done after training, the position and the luminance of the spot were varied. The results of the generalization tests are well described by a multiplicative “combination rule,” which is derived from the assumption that the pigeons inspect only a small portion of the visual display, and that they base their choice of reponse on the presence or absence of a nonuniformity in the luminance of the area they inspect.
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This research was supported by Public Health Service Grant MH 13955.
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Heinemann, E.G., Kadison, K. Control of pigeons’ choice behavior by the position and luminance of a spot of light. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 7, 522–524 (1976). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337270
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337270