[Complex form of instrumental behavior in the dog]

Abstract

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.