Sexual approach conditioning: Omission contingency tests

Abstract

Male Japanese quail learned to approach a light that predicted visual exposure to a female quail. In Experiment 1, duration of visual exposure to the female did not systematically affect the speed or strength of conditioning. Introduction of an omission contingency for approach to the light after acquisition did not suppress conditioned approach relative to the performance of yoked controls. In Experiment 2, males learned to approach a light that predicted visual exposure to a female despite an omission contingency for approach in effect during acquisition. Experimental males were not slower to acquire the approach response under an omission contingency than were yoked controls. The findings indicate strong Pavlovian control of sexual conditioned approach in Japanese quail.