Real-time dynamics in the interaction between a trial stimulus and its temporal context

Abstract

Real-time changes in the interaction of a trial stimulus and the temporal properties of the interfood context were observed. An autoshaping procedure with pigeons partitioned the interfood interval with explicit stimuli correlated with the passage of time. Three experiments altered the duration, the probability, and the validity of the keylight trial stimulus and measured control over keypeck responding exerted by both the trial stimulus and the explicit temporal 'clock' stimuli making up the interfood interval. In general, it was found that the trial stimuli (1) did not abolish the responding controlled by the explicit temporal stimuli of the context, (2) increased the rate of responding to the explicit temporal stimuli of the context immediately preceding the trial stimulus onset, and (3) suppressed the responding to the explicit temporal stimuli immediately following the trial stimulus onset. Most typically, responding increased across the latter portion of the interfood interval. These effects were robust across variations in the duration and probability of the trial stimulus. Variations in the validity with which the trial stimulus correctly signaled the upcoming trial outcome had a pronounced effect on the ability of the trial stimulus to conditioned antecedent temporal stimuli. The results were taken to indicate that a real-time conceptualization of the results of conditioning procedures is necessary.