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Generalization of color by chickens: experimental observations and a Bayesian model

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posted on 2023-06-07, 14:41 authored by R J Baddeley, Daniel Colaco OsorioDaniel Colaco Osorio, C D Jones
Sensory generalization influences animals' responses to novel stimuli. Because color forms a perceptual continuum, it is a good subject for studying generalization. Moreover, because different causes of variation in spectral signals, such as pigmentation, gloss, and illumination, have differing behavioral significance, it may be beneficial to have adaptable generalization. We report on generalization by poultry chicks following differential training to rewarded (T+) and unrewarded (T-) colors, in particular on the phenomenon of peak shift, which leads to subjects preferring stimuli displaced away from T-. The first three experiments test effects of learning either a fine or a coarse discrimination. In experiments 1 and 2, peak shift occurs, but contrary to some predictions, the shift is smaller after the animal learned a fine discrimination than after it learned a coarse discrimination. Experiment 3 finds a similar effect for generalization on a color axis orthogonal to that separating T+ from T-. Experiment 4 shows that generalization is rapidly modified by experience. These results imply that the scale of a “perceptual ruler” is set by experience. We show that the observations are consistent with generalization following principles of Bayesian inference, which forms a powerful framework for understanding this type of behavior.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

American Naturalist

ISSN

0003-0147

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

Issue

S1

Volume

169

Page range

S27-S41

Department affiliated with

  • Biology and Environmental Science Publications

Notes

The copyright of this publication is owned by The University of Chicago.

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2008-07-24

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-05-09

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-07-02

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