Criterion: Subject must beak target rock as indicated with target stick. Beaking the stick or beaking another rock before indicated target is counted as an error. Subject is still rewarded upon successful touching of target, even if numerous incorrect trials are made first.
5 targets used: pink, clear, green, shiny, rust rocks.
2007/06/28
Session C1: 82% correct. 14 successful repetitions, 3 errors. Errors with "pink rock" and "clear rock". [Session interrupted near start. Bird B jumped across to the treat dish and gorged himself while researcher was distracted with telecommunications.] 1226h.
Session B1: 33% correct. 5 successful repetitions, 10 errors. Zero correct repetitions with "rust rock" and "shiny rock". Some errors with "green rock" and "pink rock". No errors with "clear rock". I've observed that Bird B appeared to dislike the rust rock the most, often throwing that one off the table first. Animosity toward rust rock appears to have declined recently. 1233h.
Session C2: 80% correct. 12/3 R/E (# of successful repetitions over errors). 2 out of 3 errors were targets to stick rather than pink and clear rocks. Touched green rock instead of rust rock on the other error. No errors on green and shiny rocks. 1233-1238h.
Session B2: 50% correct. 10/10 R/E. 1 error was target to stick. 1238-1243h.
Session C3: 100% correct. 10/0 R/E. 2027h.
Session B3: 83% correct. 10/2 R/E. Both errors on green rock. 2029-2031h.
2007/06/29
C1: 57% correct. 8/6. Zero correct on green rock. Some errors on rust, pink, clear. No errors on shiny. 1339-1343h. Recorded on video 6915.
B1: 82% correct. 9/2. Errors on rust and pink. 1 error on rust was target to stick. 1348-1351h. Recorded on video 6916.
C2: 83% correct. 10/2. 1 error on pink. 1 error on rust was target to stick. Duration 2:36 minutes, ended at 1355h. Recorded on video 6917.
B2: 64% correct. Errors on rust, pink, and clear. Duration 2:41 minutes, ended at 1355h. Recorded on video 6918.
1 target added: purple rock (polished amethyst)
6 total targets used: pink, clear, green, shiny, rust and purple rocks.
C3: 100% correct. 19/0. 1403h. Recorded on video 6919.
B3: 82% correct. 9/2. Duration 1:48 minutes, ended at 1408h. Recorded on video 6920.
C4: Data lost and estimated at 57% correct. Estimated #R/E at 8/6. Many errors, subject disinterested. 1756h. Video recording attempted but failed. Possible distraction?
B4: 50% correct. 4/4. Subject disinterested. 1800h.
Bird C's performance is quite consistent, and successful repetitions usually increases with repeated sessions in succession. C appeared to be stimulated by challenge of added purple rock, and gave a 100% success rate on 19 repetitions immediately after. As previously noted, Bird B's performance and interest fluctuates wildly with his mood. I believe many of B's errors are in fact expressions of frustration as he attacks various targets before focusing on the task. Some of B's errors are due to laziness/efficiency as he beaks all targets in vicinity to procure reward with the least amount of effort.
+++
Garden update: 2 tomato plants have survived transplanting to the garden, and while not exactly thriving, they are surviving. A couple of tomato seedlings have sprouted out in various containers. Unidentified green lettuce in garden along with other plant life (unsure if it's mesclun lettuce or weeds) are doing well and some have been harvested. Red butterworth lettuce in containers also doing well. Several sweet pepper plants are growing, with one in particular growing leafier and larger. Others are tiny.I'll post another version of the flyaway bird photo. Can you spot him?
2 comments:
Bird B seems to lack discipline; interrupting Bird C's sessions, and seeking shortcuts to obtain his treat. Maybe the targets are just sooooo irritating that he cannot focus. Perhaps avoid brown/rust coloured objects. Funny that he likes the brown rice though...
The brown rice is probably easy to explain, since it's such a light brown, it doesn't look that different from white rice especially when cooked. More accurately, it should be called "off-white rice". It also has a better texture, so they can chew on it -- I think they might even enjoy that a bit more than the white rice which can get mushy!
Post a Comment