MATCHING‐TO‐SAMPLE AND ODDITY‐FROM‐SAMPLE IN GOLDFISH¹

Abstract

Acquisition of three-alternative simultaneous matching-to-sample and oddity-from-sample was investigated. Five goldfish were trained on matching and five on oddity for a minimum of 70 days. Subsequently, six of the fish were trained for 70 days on the other task. Acquisition was similar for oddity and matching. Correct responding started at about chance level and slowly increased to about 75%, with some animals performing at levels of over 85%. Acquisitiqp of oddity following matching and matching following oddity began below chance. Maximal level of performance on second-task oddity was comparable to that on first-task matching. By contrast, the maximal levels of performance when matching was the second task were not as high as that of the same subjects at the end of firsttask oddity. All fish exhibited strong color preferences during matching acquisition but not during oddity acquisition. The data demonstrated that goldfish can acquire a discrimination in which the stimulus associated with reinforcement depends on the identity of a second stimulus.

Cognitive Abilities in Malawi Cichlids (Pseudotropheus sp.): Matching-to-Sample and Image/Mirror-Image Discriminations

“…can discriminate between two-dimensional geometrical shapes and line drawings [28], shapes were used (instead of colored lights as in [53]), to test the MTS hypothesis. Stimuli were designed (CorelDRAW® X4; see Fig.…”

“…Despite the high number of MTS studies overall, the literature reveals only two examples of MTS testing in fish. The first evidence for the successful use of a MTS procedure in fish was given by Goldman and Shapiro [53] who trained goldfish ( Carassius auratus auratus ) in both identity and oddity matching using colored lights that were presented in a modified three-key chamber. Zerbolio and Royalty [71] also used the MTS paradigm to train goldfish on a color (lights) identity and oddity matching in an avoidance shuttlebox.…”

“…It was hypothesized that Pseudotropheus sp. can learn a simultaneous MTS procedure, as a similar procedure had already been successfully tested in goldfish using color stimuli [53]. Image/mirror-image discriminations had never been tested in a cichlid before.…”

Generalized Identity Matching-to-Sample After Multiple-Exemplar Training in Capuchin Monkeys

“…The acquisition of such concept has been investigated in nonhumans using Identity Matching-to-Sample procedures (IDMTS). A baseline of IDMTS relations is first established via direct training and then new stimuli are substituted in that baseline to see whether new identity relations are exhibited without further training (Cumming & Berryman, 1961; Goldman & Shapiro, 1979; Souza et al . 2009; Zentall & Hogan, 1974).…”

Reliable operant apparatus for fish: Audio stimulus generator, response button, and pellet-dispensing nipple

“…Inadvertent unreliability in the dispensing of food is sometimes finessed retrospective1y in the 1abeling ofthe reinforcement schedu1eas intermittent (Goldman & Shapiro, 1979). It appears that most food delivery apparatus for fish, however, simp1y drops the food into the tank (Beach, Baker, & Roberts, 1986;Cuenca & De La Higuera, 1994).…”