Generalization of secondary reinforcement in discrimination learning.

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Abstract
Generalization of secondary reinforcement as it affects black-white discrimination learning was investigated in three similarly designed studies. In each, the generalized stimulus was the color of the food cup on the nonrewarded choice, which was either the same as or the opposite of the color of the food cup on the rewarded choice. The former arrangement is referred to as high generalization, the latter as low generalization. The hypothesis that such learning will be retarded when secondary cues occur after a wrong choice was confirmed in the first but not in the second study. This discrepancy was then tested as a function of the presence of strong position preference in the first study. The third study, in which all Ss were induced to adopt strong position habits prior to learning also confirmed the hypothesis. The role of position habits and their relation to the effects of differential generalization of secondary reinforcement were discussed.
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