Reactions achieved by the mechanism of backward connection were studied in unrestrained dogs with acoustic stimuli preceded by an alimentary unconditioned reflex: a 300 c/s acoustic stimulus was paired with feeding from the left feeding trough and 1000 c/s stimulus--with the right feeding trough. A certain dynamics was observed in the manifestation of these reactions. As the number of tests increased, the number of specific reactions diminished, while non-specific reactions and reactions of running to the door appeared. Acute extinction of the running reflex to the sound of the feeding trough has been shown that the dynamics of reactions to the later is the same as in tests to the tone. Proceeding from this, it may be assumed that the evolution of backward connections manifestation is based on extinctive inhibition which develops in consequence of non-reinforcement of conditioned stimuli in the tests on backward connection formation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Conditioned reflex switching over in unrestrained dogs].

Conditioned switching-over was studied in unrestrained animals by means of instrumental alimentary conditioned reflexes of pressing the pedal. A complex of auditory and spatial factors (start-ground) served as conditioned alimentary signal. Backward connections were stable and were manifested in the teturning of the animal to the start-ground after feeding. It has been confirmed that the observed working readiness is a conditioned reflex of a tonic type.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Complex form of instrumental behavior in the dog].

A complex form of higher nervous activity, conditioned switching over, was elaborated in four dogs freely moving in an experimental room, under conditions of choice of kind (food or water) and place of reinforcement, determined by situational factors, as well as of independent switching on of conditioned stimuli. The formation of such behaviour was attended with neurotic disturbances of higher nervous activity, which disappeared after a break in the work and the animals' rest. It was shown that motivational goal-directed behaviour of the animals is due to activation of direct and backward conditioned connections. Chains of instrumental conditioned reflexes, which in the final analysis form complex behaviour are elaborated by "trials and errors". Subsequently the phenomenon of afferent and efferent generalization sets in.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Transfer phenomenon in alimentary conditioned reflexes of dogs].

Experiments on transfer phenomenon in alimentary conditioned reflexes of instrumental variety were carried out on dogs in stands and in conditions of unrestrained locomotion. In either experimental condition, after one of classical conditioned reflexes was changed into instrumental one, all conditioned stimuli started to elicit the unstrumental reflex without its special elaboration. If an instrumental reflex was initially elaborated to one stimulus, and then classical reflexes were elaborated to other stimuli, then these stimuli started to elicite the instrumental reflex as soon as they became alimentary signals.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Dynamics of formation of water and food instrumental conditioned reflexes in freely moving dogs].

The dynamics of food and water conditioning was studied in freely moving dogs choosing the reinforcement. The dog's behaviour at any given moment was determined by the correlations of the excitability of the structures of the corresponding vital unconditioned reflexes. A directed change in the excitability of the structures of the unconditioned (alimentary and water) reflexes by raising or lowering the animal's excitability (hunger, satiation, thirst) resulted in a change of the animal's behaviour and its motivation. Goal directed movements of the animals are based on activation of backward conditioned connections.

Animals↗