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The Homing Pigeon Hippocampus and the Spatial or Feature Encoding of Reward Probability and Risk

Sizemore, Brittany A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1637090875250906

Abstract Details

2021, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Experimental.
The current study examined reward probability associative learning to either spatial or feature information in homing pigeons in an open-field, laboratory setting. Additionally, the role of the avian hippocampal formation (HF) was examined in the current study by using both control sham-lesioned and hippocampal-lesioned animals in spatial or feature contexts in which rewarded goals varied in differential risk-reward properties. Homing pigeons were divided into two main experimental conditions, space or feature, and were then divided again into two brain manipulation groups, control sham-lesioned or hippocampal-lesioned. Animals were trained to locate three specific risk-reward (High-Variable 75%, Low-Variable 25%, and Constant 100%) dependent food sites (based on locations or colors) in an open-field environment. It was hypothesized that control sham-lesioned homing pigeons would develop a stronger risk-reward association with spatial information than with feature information. Additionally, it was hypothesized that control sham-lesioned and hippocampal-lesioned homing pigeons trained to feature information would perform similarly on a risk-reward based discrimination. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that control sham-lesioned homing pigeons trained to spatial information would perform differently from hippocampal-lesioned homing pigeons on a risk-reward discrimination based on space. Results indicated that homing pigeons that were provided with feature information were more likely to choose the riskier outcome during High-Variable trials, the constant outcome during Low-Variable trials, and made fewer incorrect choices in comparison to homing pigeons that were only provided spatial information. Control sham-lesioned and hippocampal-lesioned homing pigeons trained to feature both learned to seek out risk-reward outcomes and there were no significant differences in performance. By contrast, performances of control sham-lesioned and hippocampal-lesioned homing pigeons trained to space were significantly different. Hippocampal-lesioned space birds made many more first choices to incorrect bowls and were less likely to choose both variable bowls in comparison to control sham-lesioned space homing pigeons, suggesting a development of risk-aversion.
Verner Bingman, Ph.D. (Advisor)
HeeSoon Lee, Ph.D. (Other)
Richard Anderson, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Howard Casey Cromwell, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Sherona Garrett-Ruffin, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
91 p.
Behavioral Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Experimental Psychology; Neurosciences; Psychology
Avian; Hippocampus; Memory; Probability Learning; Spatial Cognition; Open-field; Homing Pigeons

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sizemore, B. A. (2021). The Homing Pigeon Hippocampus and the Spatial or Feature Encoding of Reward Probability and Risk [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1637090875250906

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sizemore, Brittany. The Homing Pigeon Hippocampus and the Spatial or Feature Encoding of Reward Probability and Risk. 2021. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1637090875250906.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sizemore, Brittany. "The Homing Pigeon Hippocampus and the Spatial or Feature Encoding of Reward Probability and Risk." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1637090875250906

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1637090875250906
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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.