Combinations of modulators trained with the same and different target stimuli

Abstract

In two autoshaping experiments, pigeons received training of several modulators with each of two target excitors. Experiment 1 used a conditioned-facilitation (A-/XA+) procedure, and Experiment 2 used a conditioned-inhibition (A+/XA-) procedure. In the first procedure, the X modulators promoted responding to A, whereas in the second they depressed responding to A. Pairs of the X modulators were then presented in conjunction with a novel target stimulus, B. The ability of those pairs to modulate responding to B was greater when the modulators in a pair had both been trained with the same A stimulus rather than with different A stimuli. That suggests an involvement of the original training targets in the transfer of modulators to a novel target. © 1991 Psychonomic Society, Inc.