Automation of learning-set testing: The video-task paradigm

Washburn, David A.; Hopkins, William D.; Rumbaugh, Duane M.

doi:10.3758/bf03205596

Cited by 41 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 11 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…Furthermore, automation of the task allowed some birds to perform up to 48 successive reversals in a learning task providing data to show improvement of performance over successive reversals for the first time in the wild. Automation is critical to measure trial-intensive cognitive performance and is indeed largely used in comparative cognition in captivity 23 , 24 , 55 – 59 . There is no doubt that cognitive ecologists interested in measuring complex cognitive functions in the wild or wild psychometrics 6 will benefit from automated cognitive testing so as to reach comparative cognition standards 3 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognition in the field: comparison of reversal learning performance in captive and wild passerines

Cauchoix

Hermer

Chaine

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Animal cognitive abilities have traditionally been studied in the lab, but studying cognition in nature could provide several benefits including reduced stress and reduced impact on life-history traits. However, it is not yet clear to what extent cognitive abilities can be properly measured in the wild. Here we present the first comparison of the cognitive performance of individuals from the same population, assessed using an identical test, but in contrasting contexts: in the wild vs. in controlled captive conditions. We show that free-ranging great tits (Parus major) perform similarly to deprived, captive birds in a successive spatial reversal-learning task using automated operant devices. In both captive and natural conditions, more than half of birds that contacted the device were able to perform at least one spatial reversal. Moreover, both captive and wild birds showed an improvement of performance over successive reversals, with very similar learning curves observed in both contexts for each reversal. Our results suggest that it is possible to study cognitive abilities of wild animals directly in their natural environment in much the same way that we study captive animals. Such methods open numerous possibilities to study and understand the evolution and ecology of cognition in natural populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognition in the field: comparison of reversal learning performance in captive and wild passerines

Cauchoix

Hermer

Chaine

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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“…The four tasks included in the SELECT menu in this study were CHASE, Learning Set (LS), Matching to Sample (MTS), and Delayed Matching to Sample (DMTS) (see Washburn, Hopkins & Rumbaugh, 1989, 1991), and each of these tasks was represented by a unique stimulus that was consistent for the entire study (Figure 1b). These tasks were designed to be relatively easy for the monkeys in an effort to ensure motivation and keep performance high regardless of condition.…”

Section: General Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do monkeys choose to choose?

et al. 2014

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There is empirical and anecdotal support that choice is preferred by humans. Previous research has demonstrated that this preference extends to nonhuman animals, but it remains largely unknown whether animals will actively seek out or prefer opportunities to choose. Here we explored the issue of whether capuchin and rhesus monkeys will choose to choose. We used a modified version of the SELECT task – a computer program in which monkeys can choose the order of completion of various psychomotor and cognitive tasks. In the current experiments, each trial began with a choice between two icons, one of which allowed the monkey to select the order of task completion, and the other icon led to assignment of task order by the computer. In either case, subjects still had to complete the same number of tasks and the same number of task trials. Tasks were relatively easy, and the monkeys responded correctly on most trials. Thus, global reinforcement rates were approximately equated across conditions. The only difference was whether the monkey chose the task order or it was assigned, thus isolating the act of choosing. Given sufficient experience with the task icons, all monkeys showed a significant preference for choice when the alternative was a randomly assigned order of tasks. To a lesser extent, some of the monkeys maintained a preference for choice over a preferred, but computer assigned task order that was yoked to their own previous choice selection. The results indicate that monkeys prefer to choose when all other aspects of the task are equated.

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“…The paradigm allows the study of more complex behaviors than is possible with a simple bar in an operant chamber or with lights or objects as stimuli, as in variations of the Wisconsin General Test Apparatus (WGTA). In addition to this potential for measuring more complex behaviors, there is evidence to suggest that even behavior that can be measured within traditional testing paradigms, such as, for example, discrimination learning sets and transfer indexes, benefit from this new testing procedure (Washburn et al, 1989a(Washburn et al, , 1989b.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…I The NASA/LRC-CTS has also been demonstrated to provide a rich and robust testing environment for the cognitive and neuropsychological capacities of great apes, rhesus monkeys, mentally retarded and normally developing children, and adults. Of these subject populations, the research with the rhesus monkeys (e.g., Rumbaugh, Richardson, Washburn, Savage-Rumbaugh, & Hopkins, 1989;Washburn, Hopkins, & Rumbaugh, 1989a, 1989b, 1990 will be used in the present instance to illustrate the utility of the testing paradigm.…”

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confidence: 99%

The NASA/LRC computerized test system

Richardson

Washburn

Hopkins

et al. 1990

Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers

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106

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A new testing package, including apparatus and tasks, is described for the study of behavior of a variety of species in a variety of experiments. The package is described with respect to the kinds of comparative psychological investigations for which it is well suited. The preliminary data generated within this new testing paradigm demonstrate that the NASA/LRC Computerized Test System provides a flexible yet powerful environment for the investigation of behavioral and psychological processes.

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Automation of learning-set testing: The video-task paradigm

Cited by 41 publications

References 11 publications

Cognition in the field: comparison of reversal learning performance in captive and wild passerines

Cognition in the field: comparison of reversal learning performance in captive and wild passerines

Do monkeys choose to choose?

The NASA/LRC computerized test system

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