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A Latent Effect of Us Preexposure in Autoshaping

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Abstract

In two experiments, pigeons were given unsignaled food presentations (Group Unsignaled), tone-food pairings (Group Signaled), or no treatment (Group Control). All groups were subsequently given pairings of a white keylight with food. Although no group differences in autoshaping to white appeared, when birds were subsequently given autoshaping with a different colored light using partial reinforcement, either in a different set of chambers (Experiment 1) or in the same set of chambers (Experiment 2), an effect of prior treatment did appear. Birds in Group Unsignaled responded at a lower rate than those in Groups Signaled and Control, which did not differ.

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This research was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada grant to Paula J. Durlach. We thank Suzanne Whatmore and Nancy Chiasson for their assistance in conducting this research.

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Durlach, P.J., McQuoid, L.M. & Regehr, G. A Latent Effect of Us Preexposure in Autoshaping. Psychol Rec 40, 347–358 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03399545

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