Learning processes in matching and oddity: The oddity preference effect and sample reinforcement

Eight pigeons learned e ither matching (to sample) or oddity (fro m sample) with or without reward for sample respondin g. The training stimuli were coarse-white, fine-black, or smooth-mauve grave ls in pots with buried grain as the reinforcer. Oddity without sample reward was learned most rapidly, fo llowed by matching with sample reward, oddity with sample reward, and matching without sample reward. Transfer was re lated to acq ui sition rate: The oddity group without sample reward showed full (equal to base line) color and texture transfer; the matching group with sample reward showed partial texture transfer; other groups showed no transfer. Sample reward was shown to determine rate of acqui sition of matching and oddity and the oddity prefe rence e ffec t. The results are discussed in terms of item-specific assoc iati ons operating early in learning prior to any relational learning between sample and compari son stimuli