Frequency of Light Onset on Activation and Sensory Reinforcement in Domestic Chicks

Abstract

100 chicks were exposed to 1 of 5 experimental conditions of differing frequencies of light onset with total light duration held constant during a 30-min. preconditioning phase. Within a subsequent 25-min. conditioning phase, light onset was response contingent. Exposure to different frequencies had significant behavioral effects in the preconditioning phase but not during the conditioning phase. The nonsignificant difference in conditioning suggests that Ss were in part satiated by the total duration of light. Frequency of light onset during preconditioning affects activation but not later sensory reinforced behavior.