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GENERALIZATION AND DISCRIMINATION AS A FUNCTION OF THE S D ‐S Δ INTENSITY DIFFERENCE 1
Author(s) -
Pierrel Rosemary,
Sherman J. Gilmour
Publication year - 1962
Publication title -
journal of the experimental analysis of behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.75
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1938-3711
pISSN - 0022-5002
DOI - 10.1901/jeab.1962.5-67
Subject(s) - delta , generalization , intensity (physics) , stimulus generalization , mathematics , physics , inverse , combinatorics , mathematical analysis , psychology , geometry , optics , neuroscience , astronomy , perception
Three groups of four rats were trained on an auditory‐intensity discrimination for 21 days. The S D ‐S Δ intensity difference for Group I was 10 db; for Group II, 20 db; and for Group III, 30 db. Following the initial discrimination training, the animals were tested for generalization of the bar‐press response to seven novel S Δ 's which were presented intermingled with the original S D and S Δ values. Conclusions : (1.) The amount of simple discrimination training required to obtain fairly stable differences in S D and S Δ responding is an inverse function of the magnitude of the stimulus difference between S D and S Δ . (2.) Generalization gradients obtained immediately following simple discrimination training exhibit a maximum displaced from S D in a direction also away from S Δ . (3.) Gradients obtained following continued exposure to the multivalued S Δ situation show a fairly stable maximum at the S D value. (4.) Although the gradients tend to fall off systematically on either side of the continuum as distance from S D is increased, they decrease most rapidly on the S Δ limb of the gradient.