ASSOCIATIVE PROCESSES IN DIFFERENTIAL OUTCOME DISCRIMINATIONS

This study assessed the role of stimulus-outcome (S-O) and response-ou tcome (R-O) associations in differential outcome performances. In Expe riment 1, pigeons learned one-to-many matching-to-sample with differen tial R-O associations but with either differential or nondifferential sample-outcome (S-O) associations. Later, both groups showed strong tr ansfer of matching to novel samples that were differentially associate d with the same outcomes used in training. Experiment 2 reversed the t raining conditions for each group. The switch from differential to non differential S-O associations produced a large drop in matching accura cy, whereas the opposite switch had only a small effect. Following rec overy, both groups again showed positive transfer to novel samples, al though transfer was stronger following differential S-O training. Thes e data support a two-process (''outcome expectancy'') account of diffe rential outcome performances but also indicate a contribution of bidir ectional R-O associations.