Generalization And Discrimination

This study examined the generalization and discrimination gradients of the natural behavior of grooming genitals, the simple unnatural behavior of bar pressing and the complex unnatural behavior of tucking and rolling. The study featured 42 virtual rat subjects, divided into 6 categories to examine generalization and discrimination of each behavior. First, the subjects were magazine trained to establish the magazine sound as a reinforcer for food. Next, the subjects were either trained to groom genitals, bar press or tuck and roll, depending on their group. Then the subjects underwent tone on S+ or S- discrimination learning to a 2.00 kHz tone. Afterwards, generalization tests were performed on each subject and the data was compiled to create generalization and discrimination gradients. Overall, the findings showed that there are statistically significant …show more content…
The purpose of this paper is to examine and compare the generalization and discrimination gradients of natural and unnatural behaviors. 42 virtual rat subjects were all magazine trained and then divided into 3 groups to examine the natural behavior of grooming genitals, the simple unnatural behavior of bar pressing and the complex unnatural behavior of tucking and rolling. The 3 groups were then further divided into either S+ or S- discrimination learning subgroups. Magazine training is a method of turning a neutral stimulus into a secondary reinforcer, which in this case is the sound of the food hopper reinforcing the presentation of food pellets. After S+ and S- discrimination learning, generalization tests were performed to examine the degree that the subjects generalize/discriminate the behaviors for similar stimuli. Overall, the experiment analyzed the similarities and differences of the generalization and discrimination gradients for the natural, simple unnatural and complex unnatural