Effects of interdimensional training on stimulus generalization.

Abstract

17 pigeons were tested for stimulus generalization in extinction twice, 1st following single stimulus training and later following additional training including a 2nd stimulus. Test I followed 12 days of VI-1 min. training to peck a key illuminated by 555 m[mu] light. Following this, Group I (n = 8) received 12 days of nondifferential VI-1 training to randomly alternating stimuli of 555 m[mu] and a white vertical line on a black surround; Group II (n = 9) received discrimination training consisting of VI-1 reinforcement to the 555 m[mu] stimulus and nonreinforcement to the white vertical line. It was found that, in comparison with the single stimulus control condition, interdimensional nondifferential training significantly flattens both absolute and relative generalization gradients, whereas interdimensional discrimination training steepens them.