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Original Articles

Peak Shift Phenomenon: A Teaching Activity for Basic Learning Theory

Pages 298-300 | Published online: 20 Nov 2009
 

Abstract

Stimulus discrimination is a standard subject in undergraduate courses presenting basic principles of learning, and a particularly interesting aspect of discrimination is the peak shift phenomenon. Peak shift occurs in generalization tests following intradimensional discrimination training as a displacement of peak responding away from the S+ (a stimulus signaling availability of reinforcement) in a direction opposite the S- (a stimulus signaling lack of reinforcement). This activity allows students to develop intradimensional discriminations that enable firsthand observation of the peak shift phenomenon. Evaluation of the activity suggests that it produces improved understanding of peak shift and that undergraduate students can demonstrate peak shift in simple discrimination tasks.

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