Pavlovian vs. operant factors in nonspecific transfer of training in the pigeon

Abstract

In Experiment 1, three groups were given 20 sessions of true discrimination (TD), single- stimulus (SS), or pseudodiscrimination (PD) training with line angles and with equal-density variable-interval (VI) and variable-time (VT) reinforcement schedules, instead of the usual VI and extinction (EXT). Subsequent transfer to a wavelength VI-EXT discrimination revealed enhanced performance by TD and retarded performance by PD groups. In Experiment 2, in an autoshaping-like paradigm, six groups were given TD, SS, or PD training with line angles using fixed-interval (FI) and fixed-time (FT) reinforcement schedules during trials. Despite almost identical responding to the two stimuli, the TD groups performed best on either of two subsequent wavelength discriminations. These results suggest that neither Pavlovian contingencies nor differential responding during training is required in order to produce the TD enhancement effect.