Experimental study of Bayesian inference based on experience

本研究采用一种改进的延迟样本匹配（DMTS）任务，在动物（鸽子）的baidu推理中，信息刺激信号的哪一边是正确的，然后才介绍比较刺激。在该程序中，样品呈现频率在两种条件下变化（即，1：9和3：7条件下）和信息刺激的可靠性也从100%到80%不等。在匹配性能稳定后，引入了两个不同的测试会话，其中一个条件下没有样本，而另一个条件下既没有样本也没有信息刺激。测试结果表明，在所有的主题，选择比例较低的频率刺激的比例近似一致的比例，在DMTS任务中使用的两个样本时，没有样本，并进一步的选择比例较低的频率刺激是一致的预测来自贝叶斯定理时，既没有样本，也没有信息刺激。这些结果表明，动物被试在DMTS任务中学习样本与比较匹配时，能够检测出两个样本比例的差异，并评估信息刺激的可靠性。虽然本研究提供的数据理解贝叶斯推理的经验为基础，其他研究应检查贝叶斯推理的比较和发展方面的经验为基础，以及可能的修改程序。

The present study investigated bayesian inference in animals (pigeons) by using a modified delayed matching-to-sample (DMTS) task in which information stimulus signaling which side is correct was presented prior to the presentation of comparison stimuli. In this procedure, sample presentation frequency was varied in two conditions (I.e., 1 : 9 and 3 : 7 conditions) and reliability of the information stimulus was also varied from 100% to 80%. After matching performance was stabilized, two different test sessions were introduced, in which no sample was presented in one condition, whereas neither sample nor information stimulus was presented in another condition. The results from testing showed that in all subjects, choice proportions for the less frequent stimulus were approximately consistent with the proportion of two samples used in the DMTS task when no sample was presented, and further that choice proportions for the less frequent stimulus were consistent with predictions derived from Bayesian theorem when neither sample nor information stimulus was presented. These results revealed that animal subjects can detect the difference in the proportion of two samples and evaluate the reliability of information stimulus when they learn to match samples with comparisons in the DMTS task. Although the present study provided data understanding Bayesian inference based on experience, additional studies should examine comparative and developmental aspects of Bayesian inference based on experience as well as possible modifications of the procedure.