Differential Outcomes Facilitate Relational Associations

Abstract

The Differntial Outcomes Procedure facilitates the acquisition and performance of tasks that encourage item specific strategies, but its affects on relational strategies is unknown. Here, 8 pigeons (columba livia) were trained to use a relational strategy with the abstract concept same/different. Of these pigeons, 4 received differential outcomes and 4 received same outcomes. Both groups acquired the tasks at equal rates but the pigeons that received differential outcomes evidenced partial concept use sooner than those pigeons that received the same outcome.