Spaced and mass training within cognitive experimental paradigm in the Djungarian hamster Phodopus sungorus: comparative psychological approach

Abstract

Ability to shape associations between visual stimuli and a reward under conditions of mass and spaced trainings have been studied for the first time in wild Djungarian hamsters. In a case of a simple task (“spot vs no spot”) 7 from 9 animals solved the problem under condition of mass training, whereas under condition of space training only one individual was successful. In a case of more complex task (“a lesser spot vs a greater one”) 4 from 9 animals were successful under condition of mass training. Taking into account our previous study of Ph.sungorus’s ability to evaluate sets of geometric figures, one can suggest that evaluation of visual stimuli in details is above cognitive competence of this species. Comparative psychological analysis of experimental studies enables us to consider this species a sort of “benchmark”, at least when discriminations of visual stimuli are concerned. In contrast to majority of rodent species as well as genetic lines, the Djungarian hamsters learn to discriminate visual stimuli under conditions of mass training only, that is, they have “short memories”.