Stereotypy of spatial movement during noncontingent and contingent reinforcement.
Animal Learning and Behavior, 23 (3):
245--255 (August 1995)Abstract
Quantified the degree of stereotypy in the movement patterns of 3 pigeons during periodic food reinforcement by analyzing the distribution of turning angles, and using information and Fourier analyses. Movement patterns were less stereotyped during noncontingent than during contingent reinforcement, possibly due to a greater probability that similar movements were reinforced during contingent reinforcement. A reversal to noncontingent reinforcement resulted in a degree of stereotypy comparable to that during the first phase of noncontingent reinforcement, movement patterns were most stereotyped immediately after food withdrawal and generally became less stereotyped as reinforcement approached, and higher frequency movements generally accounted for more variance during contingent than during noncontingent reinforcement.