I don't think Skinner needed to train pigeons to fly places. People have been using pigeons for that exact purpose for thousands (yes, thousands) of years. Indeed, one might regard Skinner's entire research program as little more than a codification and extension of the centuries-long practice of training pigeons to fly to specific places using food as a lure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_pigeon
Chris --- Christopher D. Green Department of Psychology York University Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 Canada [email protected] http://www.yorku.ca/christo/ ========================= On 2014-01-15, at 10:09 AM, Paul Brandon wrote: > > > > > > > And (at least as of ten years ago) I knew people using 'air cribs' (the > climate controlled crib described in 'Baby in a Box'). > There was also a project using pigeons as quality control inspectors (pills, > I believe). > > On Jan 15, 2014, at 8:03 AM, John Kulig wrote: > >> Well, Skinner's pigeons did not fly by themselves, but they were trained to >> peck at outlines of ships so as to guide missiles to their target during >> WWII ... the military did not support "Project Pigeon" wholeheartedly though >> Skinner claimed it would have worked. Each nose cone had three pigeons, and >> majority vote ruled (in case one pigeon got nervous-in-the-service to use >> theold phrase). The project was cancelled in 1944, but inspired Project >> Orcon (for organic control) which was later replaced by electronic guidance >> systems. >> >> If people have not read Skinner's account of this project, it is worth the >> trouble. He is intelligent, witty, irreverent, and insightful. A contrast to >> our tendency to be overly cautious in our hypotheses and conclusions. btw, >> worth reading about his daughter's crib project as well >> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Pigeon >> >> >> >> ========================== >> John W. Kulig, Ph.D. >> Professor of Psychology >> Coordinator, Psychology Honors >> Plymouth State University >> Plymouth NH 03264 >> ========================== > > Paul Brandon > Emeritus Professor of Psychology > Minnesota State University, Mankato > [email protected] > > > > > --- > > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=430248.781165b5ef80a3cd2b14721caf62bd92&n=T&l=tips&o=32757 > > (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) > > or send a blank email to > leave-32757-430248.781165b5ef80a3cd2b14721caf62b...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > > > > > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=32762 or send a blank email to leave-32762-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
