The study by Paul L. Brown and Herbert M. Jenkins investigates the acquisition of the pigeon's key-peck response through unconditional pairings of a lighted key with food. The researchers found that reliable acquisition of the key-peck response occurred when the key was illuminated momentarily before food was presented. This process, termed auto-shaping, is dependent on the order of light-food pairings. The study explores various conditions, including the duration of the trial, the color of the key, and the type of reinforcement (grain vs. water), to understand the factors influencing the emergence of the key-peck. The results suggest that the key-peck response is a result of a conditioning process involving the species-specific tendency of pigeons to peck at objects they look at. The study also discusses the potential role of classical conditioning in the emergence of the key-peck, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. The procedure is noted for its efficiency and standardization, making it suitable for large-scale experiments.The study by Paul L. Brown and Herbert M. Jenkins investigates the acquisition of the pigeon's key-peck response through unconditional pairings of a lighted key with food. The researchers found that reliable acquisition of the key-peck response occurred when the key was illuminated momentarily before food was presented. This process, termed auto-shaping, is dependent on the order of light-food pairings. The study explores various conditions, including the duration of the trial, the color of the key, and the type of reinforcement (grain vs. water), to understand the factors influencing the emergence of the key-peck. The results suggest that the key-peck response is a result of a conditioning process involving the species-specific tendency of pigeons to peck at objects they look at. The study also discusses the potential role of classical conditioning in the emergence of the key-peck, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. The procedure is noted for its efficiency and standardization, making it suitable for large-scale experiments.