The effects of cue competition on timing in pigeons

We studied the effects of cue competition on timing in both overshadowing and blocking operant procedures with pigeons. A white center key delivered reward when pecked 30 s after a red or green sidekey was presented and 10 s after presentation of the alternate color on the other sidekey. In Experiment 1, key presentations were concurrent during training trials for overshadow-condition pigeons, while side key presentations were separated across training trials for control birds. In Experiment 2, half of the birds (Blocking group) were given pre-exposure trials to either the 10-s or 30-s sidekey condition. Both blocking-condition and control birds were then given trials of concurrent side key presentations. Peak time curves were compared between experimental and control conditions. The results showed blocking of timing accuracy of a long (30-s) stimulus by a short (10-s) stimulus, but no evidence for overshadowing of timing accuracy.