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Presentation Type
Presentation
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Matthew S. Murphy, Psychology
Major
Biology
Presentation Abstract
One central area of psychology is decision-making strategies, such as the win-stay-lose-shift approach. This occurs when an individual is given a choice between two options, and they choose the same option twice if correct or switch if incorrect. This strategy develops across several species that can be used as model organisms for cognitive processes such as pigeons, which show many of the same psychological patterns as humans. The aim of this study is to determine whether pigeons adjust to a win-stay-lose-shift strategy easier after being exposed to a lose-stay-win-shift strategy, or vice versa. Because of an innate response to win-stay-lose-shift, it is hypothesized that the pigeons will have an easier time adjusting to the strategy both initially and after being exposed to lose-stay-win-shift. The results can show how pigeons adapt foraging strategies when changing habitats or allude to changing how humans persist in residing where natural disasters are common.
Start Date
12-4-2023 1:40 PM
End Date
12-4-2023 2:00 PM
Disciplines
Biology | Psychology
Recommended Citation
Cutaia, Tyler, "Conditioning Pigeons to Switch a Decision-Making Strategy" (2023). Undergraduate Research Competition. 50.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2023/fullconference/50
Conditioning Pigeons to Switch a Decision-Making Strategy
One central area of psychology is decision-making strategies, such as the win-stay-lose-shift approach. This occurs when an individual is given a choice between two options, and they choose the same option twice if correct or switch if incorrect. This strategy develops across several species that can be used as model organisms for cognitive processes such as pigeons, which show many of the same psychological patterns as humans. The aim of this study is to determine whether pigeons adjust to a win-stay-lose-shift strategy easier after being exposed to a lose-stay-win-shift strategy, or vice versa. Because of an innate response to win-stay-lose-shift, it is hypothesized that the pigeons will have an easier time adjusting to the strategy both initially and after being exposed to lose-stay-win-shift. The results can show how pigeons adapt foraging strategies when changing habitats or allude to changing how humans persist in residing where natural disasters are common.