Nondifferential training of pigeons retards acquisition of subsequent discriminations involving other stimuli

Abstract

In Experiment 1, two groups of pigeons (n = 8) were given nondifferential (ND) training with a green keylight and a white vertical line on a dark surround nonsystematically alternated. Two groups (n = 8) received single stimulus (SS) training with the green light only. In Experiment 2, two groups of pigeons (n = 8) were given ND training with vertical and horizontal lines, while two other groups (n = 8) received SS training with only the vertical line. In both experiments, all groups were transferred to a green S+ (VI reinforced) and a red S− (extinguished) transfer problem. In each experiment, one ND and one SS group was tested in the same context as initial training (houselight off) and one ND and one SS group was tested in a changed context (houselight on). In both experiments and in both contexts, the ND groups performed less well on the transfer problem than did the SS groups. There was no evidence of greater control by the context in ND than in SS groups, which suggests that the observed difference in acquisition of the transfer task is not attributable to a purported difference in control by the context under the two conditions. The overall results favor the position that nondifferential training reduces attention to stimuli involved in the original training procedure and that this reduced attention transfers to stimuli subsequently experienced.