Skinner, B.F. (1948). ‘Superstition’ in the Pigeon.
Arhe Vaninetti
Research Methods and Statistics, PSY 301, Pacific University, Oregon
February 14, 2023
In Skinner’s (1948) classical example of behaviorism, the question of random conditioning in pigeons is explored in relation to consistency and extinction of the behavior over time. While Skinner did not set out to explicitly condition a certain behavior or combination of behaviors, he wound up exploring the threat of extinction and re-conditioning on a particular behavior. During this study, Skinner set up a random interval system to feed hungry pigeons. Because the pigeons were on rationed food, they were eager to continually eat for the duration of the experiment, with Skinner stating that they were on 75% of their typical diet. When the food was presented at random intervals, the pigeons began expressing random behaviors that they associated with receiving food. This classical conditioning created various random behaviors in 6 of the 8 experimental pigeons, including spinning, rocking, flapping, and head jerking.
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