Behavior induced by periodic food delivery: The effects of interfood interval.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Pigeons were exposed to fixed-time schedules of food presentation ranging from five to 300 seconds. Although consistent, stereotyped response patterns developed during interfood intervals on all schedules, there were distinct differences in the behavior observed on schedules with short, as opposed to long, intervals. During the shorter intervals, responses were performed quite vigorously, a feeder-directed terminal response was observed, and most activities were localized near the feeder. On the longer schedules, no feeder-directed terminal response developed, although the birds were usually near the feeder at the end of intervals. The predominant response involved moving about the chamber, often pacing along one of the walls. Performance during short intervals is accounted for quite well by the antagonistic-motivational state hypothesis suggested by Staddon (1977); however, performance during longer intervals is not. Behavior during interfood intervals may more accurately be classified as reflecting a single (food) motivational state and described simply in terms of Craig's (1918) appetitive behavior.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Innis, NK; Simmelhag-Grant, VL; Staddon, JE

Published Date

  • March 1983

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 39 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 309 - 322

PubMed ID

  • 16812322

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC1347923

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1938-3711

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0022-5002

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1901/jeab.1983.39-309

Language

  • eng