No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of the present series of experiments was to examine in some detail the characteristics of short-term memory in object discrimination learning set ( ODLS ) -experienced bluejays (Cyanocitt a Cristata ) . ODLS consists of the presentation of a series of two -choice simultaneous discrimination problems. Typically, non-correction procedures are used with position irrelevant throughout. Each new problem is defined by the introduction of a new pair of discriminative stimuli ODLS acquisition is defined as an increase in the speed of solving new problems accompanying experience with problem solving. Most comparative research performed with ODLS as the basic paradigm has concentrated on demonstration of ODLS acquisition . The only exceptions to this have been a large number of experiments with primates as subjects , particularly rhesus and other macaque species. The present experiment was designed to provide more analytic information about ODLS behavior in a species vastly different from the rhesus monkey.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

This thesis presents a study of the effectiveness of a blocked series of stimulus presentations in training pigeons to perform a discrimination. It was found that this sequence of trial presentations was a least as effective as training with a random sequence of trial presentations. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Copying prompts with subsequent unprompted practice produced better learning of simple discriminations than feedback only of a correct response without subsequent practice. The Copy condition promoted faster acquisition of accurate performance for all subjects, and shorter response latencies and durations for 3 of 4 subjects. The data support the findings of Barbetta, Heron, and Heward, 1993 as well as Drevno, Kimball, Possi, Heward, Garner III, and Barbetta, 1994. The author proposes that response repertoires are most valuable if easily reacquired at times after original learning. Thus, reacquisition performance data are emphasized. The data suggest that discriminations acquired by copying prompts may result in useful repertoires if a practice procedure is used which facilitates transfer of stimulus control from a formal prompt to a naturally occurring stimulus.

Four subjects were exposed to the four trial types that define stimulus equivalence from the beginning of the experiment. Procedures were designed to identify acquisition dynamics and relate these observations to responding indicative of equivalence class formation. The data show that, for all subjects, the acquisition of training conditional discriminations was correlated with systematic changes in the subjects' selection responses. The results also indicate that the traditional percent correct measures obscure some important information about the subjects' behavior. The data are discussed in the context of the following statements. 1) Subjects' performances on derived trials are not indicative of relations among stimuli at some other level of analysis but are instances of "equivalencing". 2) "Equivalencing" itself can be characterized as changes in the conditional and conditionally discriminative functions of stimuli involved in the experiment. The potential benefits of this preparation are discussed.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Texas, May, 2009. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.