Arithmetic in newborn chicks

Rugani, Rosa; Fontanari, Laura; Simoni, Eleonora; Regolin, Lucia; Vallortígara, Giorgio

doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0044

Cited by 185 publications

(191 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Using a paradigm inspired by the one devised by Wynn, it was demonstrated that five-day-old domestic chicks are able to perform addition and subtraction operations, to a total of 5 objects (Rugani et al, 2009). Chicks were reared, in their first 3 days of life, with five identical objects (imprinting balls).…”

Section: Using the Methodology Of Violation Of Expectancy Karenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rudiments of mind: Insights through the chick model on number and space cognition in animals.

Vallortígara¹,

Regolin²,

Chiandetti³

et al. 2010

CCBR

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Studies on human infants, focused on the ontogenetic origins of knowledge, have provided evidence for a small set of separable systems of core knowledge dealing with the representation of objects, number, and space. We investigated core knowledge systems from a comparative perspective, making use of the domestic chick as a model system, and filial imprinting as a key to animal mind. Here, we discuss evidence showing precocious abilities in the chick for representing: (i) the cardinal and ordinal/sequential aspects of numerical cognition, and (ii) the distance, angle, and sense relations among extended surfaces in the surrounding layout. Some of the abilities associated with core knowledge systems of number and space were observed in the absence of (or with very reduced) visual experience, supporting a nativistic account of the origins of knowledge.

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Section: Using the Methodology Of Violation Of Expectancy Karenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rudiments of mind: Insights through the chick model on number and space cognition in animals.

Vallortígara¹,

Regolin²,

Chiandetti³

et al. 2010

CCBR

Self Cite

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“…Social species utilize a number sense when assessing competitive advantage during intergroup conflicts [14][15][16][17] and in the context of filial imprinting. For example, recently hatched domestic chicks utilize numerical abilities to spontaneously associate with the more numerous group of social companions [18]. Thus, it seems clear that a keen sense of number and the ability to discriminate between quantities aids in the successful survival and reproduction of most animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical assessment in the wild: insights from social carnivores

Benson‐Amram

Gilfillan

McComb

2018

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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SummaryPlayback experiments have proven to be a useful tool to investigate the extent to which wild animals understand numerical concepts and the factors that play into their decisions to respond to different numbers of vocalizing conspecifics. In particular, playback experiments have broadened our understanding of the cognitive abilities of historically understudied species that are challenging to test in the traditional laboratory, such as members of the Order Carnivora. Additionally, playback experiments allow us to assess the importance of numerical information versus other ecologically important variables when animals are making adaptive decisions in their natural habitats. Here, webegin by reviewing what we know about quantity discrimination in carnivores from studies conducted in captivity. We then review a series of playback experiments conducted with wild social carnivores, including African lions, spotted hyenas, and wolves, which demonstrate that these animals can assess the number of conspecifics calling and respond based on numerical advantage.We discuss how the wild studies compliment those conducted in captivity and allow us to gain insights into why wild animals may not always respond based solely on differences in quantity. We then consider the key role that individual discrimination and cross-modal recognition play in the 2 ability of animals to assess the number of conspecifics vocalizing nearby. Finally, we explore new directions for future research in this area, highlighting in particular the need for further work on the cognitive basis of numerical assessment skills and experimental paradigms that can be effective in both captive and wild settings.

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“…Several quantitative abilities including quantity discrimination [1][2][3][4][5], numerical ordering [6] and even basic arithmetic operations [7] have been documented in various animal species. Moreover, the importance of relative rather than absolute quantity assessments has been reported both in laboratory and in natural settings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When maths trumps logic: probabilistic judgements in chimpanzees

Hanuš

Call

2014

Biol. Lett.

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When searching for hidden food, do chimpanzees take into account both the number of hidden items and the number of potential hiding locations? We presented chimpanzees with two trays, each of them containing a different food/cup ratio and therefore a different likelihood of finding a baited cup among empty alternatives. Subjects' performance was directly influenced by the relative difference ( probability ratio (PR)) between the two given probabilities. Interestingly, however, they did not appreciate the special value of a truly safe option (with P ¼ 1.0). Instead, they seemed to 'blindly' rely on the PR between the two options, systematically preferring the more likely one once a certain threshold had been reached. A control condition ruled out the possibility of low-level learning explanations for the observed performance.

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Arithmetic in newborn chicks

Cited by 185 publications

References 54 publications

Rudiments of mind: Insights through the chick model on number and space cognition in animals.

Rudiments of mind: Insights through the chick model on number and space cognition in animals.

Numerical assessment in the wild: insights from social carnivores

When maths trumps logic: probabilistic judgements in chimpanzees

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