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Pigeons and the Ambiguous-Cue Problem: A Riddle that Remains Unsolved

Overview of attention for article published in Frontiers in Psychology, June 2017
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Title
Pigeons and the Ambiguous-Cue Problem: A Riddle that Remains Unsolved
Published in
Frontiers in Psychology, June 2017
DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00941
Pubmed ID
Authors

Óscar García-Leal, Carlos Esparza, Laurent Ávila Chauvet, Héctor O Camarena-Pérez, Zirahuén Vílchez

Abstract

The ambiguous-cue task is composed of two-choice simultaneous discriminations involving three stimuli: positive (P), ambiguous (A), and negative (N). Two different trial types are presented: PA and NA. The ambiguous cue (A) served as an S- in PA trials, but as an S+ in NA trials. When using this procedure, it is typical to observe a less accurate performance in PA trials than in NA trials. This is called the ambiguous-cue effect. Recently, it was reported in starlings that the ambiguous-cue effect decreases when the stimuli are presented on an angled (120°) panel. The hypothesis is that the angled panel facilitates that the two cues from each discrimination are perceived as a compound, precluding value transfer via a second-order conditioning mechanism. In this experiment, we used pigeons and a flat panel. Nevertheless, our data were quite similar to the previous data in starlings. We conclude that the form of the panel cannot explain the ambiguous-cue effect. Several alternatives to be explored in future experiments are suggested. The riddle of the ambiguous-cue problem still remains unsolved.

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The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 3 X users who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Mendeley readers

Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 5 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
Unknown 5 100%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Professor 3 60%
Student > Ph. D. Student 1 20%
Researcher 1 20%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Psychology 3 60%
Neuroscience 1 20%
Unknown 1 20%
Attention Score in Context

Attention Score in Context

This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 1. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 28 August 2017.
All research outputs
#15,462,982
of 22,977,819 outputs
Outputs from Frontiers in Psychology
#18,887
of 30,147 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#199,236
of 317,330 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Frontiers in Psychology
#445
of 599 outputs
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So far Altmetric has tracked 30,147 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a lot more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 12.5. This one is in the 31st percentile – i.e., 31% of its peers scored the same or lower than it.
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We're also able to compare this research output to 599 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one is in the 22nd percentile – i.e., 22% of its contemporaries scored the same or lower than it.