Cognition: Learning Theories in Zoo

Question 1

Applications

Answer 1

• healthcare (preventative and treatment)
• translocation (for genetic mixing)
• enrichment (cognitive and physical)
• exercise

Question 2

Factors

Answer 2

Contingency: training is done the same every time

Saturation: don’t exceed time limit where animal loses interest or becomes distressed

Immediacy: reinforcement must occur immediately after behaviour

Size: size of reward must be associated with the level of confronting behaviour

Question 3

Bridge

Answer 3

A signal to an animal that a reward is coming. This is used when there is a delay between the behaviour and the reward, and is used to let the animal know that they have performed the correct behaviour. It prevents the reward being associated with the wrong behaviour.

Question 4

Komodo Dragon: Operant Conditioning

Answer 4

• weighed using a target stick as a training tool

- reinforcement: food/meat

Question 5

Binturong: Operant Conditioning

Answer 5

• Exercise using hand motions, vocal commands and target stick
• Reinforcement: food and vocal praise

Question 6

Hyaena: Classical and Operant Conditioning

Answer 6

• Classical: used to gain a ‘bridge’ (whistle)

- Operant: desired behaviour —> bridge —> reinforcement

Question 7

Rhino: Systematic Desensitisation

Answer 7

Hierarchy

• Rub ear
• Touch specific area
• Rub with solution
• Blunt object pressed to ear
• Injection

Question 8

Orangutan: Observational Learning

Answer 8

• zoo reared learned from those raised in the wild how to survive
• watch zookeepers look after children/babies