Abstract
Delayed matching-to-sample performance by pigeons was interfered with by displaying a monochromatic annulus around the center (sample) pecking key. The wavelength of the annulus and its point of interpolation within a trial were varied to determine possible differential effects on matching accuracy. Experiment 1 showed that delayed matching was most disrupted when the interference stimulus (570 nm, 630 nm, or achromatic white) appeared during the delay interval of a trial. Little if any disruption occurred when the interference stimulus was present during the sample and choice periods. The spectral relationship between the chromatic interference stimuli (570 and 630 nm) and the sample stimuli (570 and 630 nm) did not consistently influence the degree to which matching accuracy was affected in any interpolation condition. Experiment 2 found a similar pattern of within-trial effects when the interference stimulus was simply a change from a white achromatic annulus to a chromatic one. This finding indicates that illumination changes, such as the popular houselight variation, are not necessary to produce interference in delayed matching to sample. Even with illumination held constant, however, performance was not differentially sensitive to the similarity between interference and sample stimulus wavelengths. It is suggested that other experiments showing similarity effects in interference of delayed matching to sample were conducted in such a way that subjects confused the interfering stimuli with the samples.
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This research was partially supported by Grants EY-01256 and BNS 78-07253 to A.A.W. and National Research Service Awards 5-T32-EY07024 (National Eye Institute) and 1-F32-MH08018 (National Institute of Mental Health) to P.J.U.
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Wright, A.A., Urcuioli, P.J., Sands, S.F. et al. Interference of delayed matching to sample in pigeons: Effects of interpolation at different periods within a trial and stimulus similarity. Animal Learning & Behavior 9, 595–603 (1981). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209796
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209796