Time course of formation of instrumental conditioned reflexes to water and food in unrestrained dogs.

Abstract

1. The behavior of unrestrained dogs with freedom of choice of reinforcement at each given moment is determined by the relationship of excitability of the structures of the corresponding vitally important unconditioned reflexes. 2. By modifying in a definite way the excitability of structures of unconditioned reflexes (food and drinking), under conditions of choice of reinforcement an animal's behavior can be made strictly single-purpose (feeding or drinking). 3. The physiological mechanism controlling animal behavior is a mechanism of formation of two-way (forward and backward) conditioned connections. The concrete form of goal-directed behavior is determined by activation of the corresponding backward conditioned connection.