Evaluating functional class formation through simultaneous simple discrimination tasks in dogs

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate functional class formation in dogs. For this purpose, an automatic device was used to present visual stimuli and record the subjects' responses in simultaneous simple discrimination tasks. The operant response consisted of touching (with the nose) visual stimuli presented on a touchscreen. Three pairs of stimuli were used (i.e., A1/A2; B1/B2; C1/C2) in five experimental phases. Namely, training and reversals with pair A were carried out in Phase I; training and reversals with pair B in Phase II; training and reversals with pairs A and B presented in the same session in Phase III; training and reversals with pair C in Phase IV; and training and reversals with pairs A, B, and C in Phase V. After the acquisition of discrimination (e.g., A1/S+ and A2/S-), the discriminative functions of the stimuli were reversed. It was evaluated whether, from the reversal of the first pair of stimuli, the subjects would change their pattern of responses to the remaining pair of stimuli before direct exposure to the new contingencies. The results show that the designed procedure established a complex and flexible discriminative repertoire in dogs; however, it was insufficient to demonstrate relational responding in the probes.