Pigeon's recognition of occluded objects: differential effect of training experience

Abstract

We trained pigeons to recognize shaded unoccluded objects. After that, pigeons were tested with partially occluded objects; with objects placed on top of occluder; with partially erased objects; or with objects that has a thin gap inserted between object and occluder. Recognition was weak in first two cases. After training with the stimuli placed on top of the occluder, recognition of occluded objects dramatically improved and was transferred to novel objects. Evidently, recognition of occluded objects requires pigeons to learn to discriminate object from occluder. In follow-up experiments, we examined whether other kinds of training similarly affected pigeons' performance.

Footnotes

 This research was supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grant MH47313.