Use of an Electrified Center Board in the Study of Chicks on the Visual Cliff

Abstract

An electrified grid was used with chicks to reduce latencies and no-response trials on the visual cliff. No significant difference in percentages of deep and shallow side descents was found between the shocked and non-shocked groups. The shocked group had significantly lower latencies and it had no no-descent trials. It was concluded that some improvement in the efficiency of experimentation with the chick might be achieved by the application of a shock stimulus.