Behavior theory and conditioning.

Abstract

The Role of Observation on Selection and Rejection Control by Some Discriminative Compounds Studies with rats and pigeons have found control by some components of S+ visual compounds.Varying measures can reveal control by other S+ components, and even by Scomponents via rejection.Studies with humans have replicated these results, suggesting observation as a measure of stimulus control.A within-individual design of concurrent fixed-ratio schedules examined how direct observation correlates to selection or rejection control in 15 adult humans.During acquisition, nine participants were reinforced for choosing a red circle or a triangle, and punished for choosing a green circle or a square.The second phase reversed the contingency.Following each training, 5 participants were asked to choose between the components presented individually in multiple combinations.For the other 4 participants, 4 tests were included that opposed each component with a novel stimulus.A variation with 3 participants substituted green for blue and red for yellow, randomized the components' topographical presentation, and included tests with novel stimuli.A final variation with 3 participants replaced the shapes and colors with multidirectional straight lines.Two categories of learners emerged in acquisition.The "fast learners" focused on colors, with observing durations under 10 seconds in acquisition.Tests revealed weak control by colors, or no control at all.The "explorers" observed the components proportionally and over 10 seconds each in acquisition.Tests revealed control by both S+ components via selection, and by both S-components via rejection.Compound patterns hindered acquisition, but not reversion.