Pigeons' preferences for stimulus information: effects of amount of information.

Hopkins et al. (1977) let pigeons choose between two keys. One key always told them what food was coming. The other gave no hint.

The birds could peck either side. The team watched which key the pigeons picked most often.

The pigeons almost always picked the key that gave news about the food. The clearer the news, the stronger the choice.

Even when both sides gave the same amount of food, the birds wanted the informative light.

HERRNSTEISLOANE (1964) showed pigeons work for lights that once signaled food. L et al. add that the light itself is a reinforcer even before food arrives.

Davison et al. (1995) later used clear signals to move pigeons away from simple matching. They built on L’s idea that information can steer choice.

Donahoe et al. (2000) seemed to clash. They found stimulus control fades fast while responding keeps going. The studies differ in focus: W tested memory for the cue, L tested the cue’s value. Both can be true.

Your clients also work for information. A progress bar, token board, or countdown timer can act like the pigeons’ news light. Pair clear signals with reinforcement and people will choose the task that tells them what is coming next.