Concurrent disjoint and reciprocal classification by Cebus apella in seriation tasks: evidence for hierarchical organization

Abstract

We report the results of a 4-year-long study of capuchin monkeys ( Cebus apella ) on concurrent three-way classification and linear size seriation tasks using explicit ordering procedures, requiring subjects to select icons displayed on touch screens rather than manipulate and sort actual objects into groups. The results indicate that C. apella is competent to classify nine items concurrently, first into three disjoint classes where class exemplars are identical to one another, then into three reciprocal classes which share common exemplar (size) features. In the final phase we compare the relative efficiency of executive control under conditions where both hierarchical and/or linear organization can be utilized. Whilst this shows a superiority of categorical based size seriation for a nine item test set suggesting an adaptive advantage for hierarchical over linear organization, Cebus nevertheless achieved high levels of principled linear size seriation with sequence lengths not normally achieved by children below the age of six years.

Self-control assessments of capuchin monkeys with the rotating tray task and the accumulation task

“…These species are well known for their manipulation skills, and for showing some cognitive abilities that rival those seen in Old World monkeys and in great apes (quantity discrimination, Beran, 2008; representing serial order, D’Amato and Colombo, 1988; tool discrimination, Evans and Westergaard, 2004; numerical competence, Judge, Evans, and Vyas, 2005; classification, McGonigle, Chalmers, and Dickinson, 2003; same/different classification, Wright and Katz, 2006). However, capuchin monkeys typically failed to show good self-control, including in the accumulation test, and even with extensive experience (Addessi et al, 2013; Evans, Beran, Paglieri, and Addessi, 2012; Paglieri et al, 2013).…”

Size Sequencing as a Window on Executive Control in Children with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome

“…A computer-based version of size seriation has been developed in our lab for use with monkeys and normally developing children to afford a more precise evaluation of sequential control (Chalmers & McGonigle, 1997;McGonigle & Chalmers, 1993, 1996McGonigle & Chalmers, 2007, in press;McGonigle, Chalmers, & Dickinson, 2003). The advantage over the classic task is that there is no (confounding) visible consequence of each selection; the items (shapes such as stars varying in size) remain in place and the test pool size and layout remains the same until all items have been selected.…”

Discrimination Reversal Learning in Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus Apella)

“…Capuchin monkeys have been reported to show cognitive patterns of responding in some contexts designed to assess capacities such as tool using, numerical cognition, and concept learning (e.g., D 'Amato & Colombo, 1988;Evans & Westergaard, 2004;Judge, Evans, & Vyas, 2005;McGonigle, Chalmers, & Dickinson, 2003;Wright, 1999;Wright & Katz, 2006), but they show less cognitive patterns of responding in others (e.g., Schino, Spinozzi, & Berlinguer, 1990;Visalberghi, Fragaszy, & Savage-Rumbaugh, 1995). Data from capuchin monkeys on other reversal learning tasks such as the Transfer index (Rumbaugh, 1970(Rumbaugh, , 1997) also place them into a gray area between associative learners and rule learners, and a test of the mediational paradigm using a manual apparatus indicated that capuchins performed below the levels shown by great apes (De Lillo & Visalberghi, 1994).…”