Long box autoshaping

This clip shows a pigeon that has undergone autoshaping in a 1 m long box (after Hearst, 1980). The CS is a white circle presented for 5 s on the left side of the box. The US is 5 s access to grain on the right side of the box. The bird is not required to peck the circle to receive grain. In fact, as pecking at the circle prevents the bird from receiving the full 5 s of grain, this procedure can be considered a type of omission contingency. Some responses occur in spite of their consequences! (0:45)

Back to Animal Learning Videos