Final answer:
The pigeon's behavior of pecking at a light that signals food is an example of a conditioned response within the realm of operant conditioning, similar to Pavlov's experiments with dogs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavior described, where a pigeon pecks at a key light that has been paired with the noncontingent delivery of food, is an example of a psychological phenomenon known as a conditioned response. This is commonly studied under the scope of operant conditioning, a type of learning where a subject's behavior is modified by its consequences, such as obtaining food. The key light in this instance serves as a discriminative stimulus, which, after being paired repeatedly with food delivery, comes to trigger the pecking behavior.
Similar to Pavlov's classic experiment with dogs, where a bell was paired with food to eventually cause salivation, this behavior in pigeons is a result of pairing a neutral stimulus (the key light) with a rewarding one (food), ultimately leading to the behavior occurring in the presence of that neutral stimulus. This is a fundamental concept in the study of learning and behavior modification, and it is often used in both laboratory research and practical applications like animal training.
One famous application of these principles was demonstrated by psychologist B.F. Skinner, trained pigeons to exhibit complex behaviors, including playing ping pong, through the use of operant conditioning techniques. The strategy of reinforcing desired behaviors through controlled stimuli is widely accepted and utilized across various species for behavioral training.