A Pigeon Is Presented with a Blue Key and a Red

question 50

Multiple Choice

A pigeon is presented with a blue key and a red key in alternating order. In the presence of the blue key, it earns food on a VI 200-sec schedule. In the presence of the red key, it earns food on a VI 600-sec schedule. The VI 600-sec schedule is then changed to a VI 100-sec schedule. As a result, the rate of response on the VI 200-sec schedule _____, illustrating a _____ contrast effect.

• A) decreases; negative
• B) increases; negative
• C) decreases; positive
• D) increases; positive

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Definitions:

Sense Receptors

Specialized cells or organs in the body that respond to external stimuli, such as light, sound, or touch, and transmit signals to the brain.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream to tissues or organs, affecting many different bodily processes.

Absolute Threshold

The minimum intensity of a stimulus that one can detect 50% of the time, a concept used in sensory and perception research.

Reliable Detection

The ability to consistently identify or recognize true occurrences of a specific event or condition.