Cognitive- Savage Rumbaugh Flashcards
Procedure?
For 17 months, from the age of 2.5 Kanzis Lexigram usage was recorded. The Lexigram board consisted of geometric visual symbols representing words that brightened when touched. These symbols were on an electric keyboard for inside and a pointing board for outside. No formal language training was used ok Kanzi and Mulika, they were were exposed to people who modelled symbol usage on the keyboard and used spoken gestures to describe everyday objects, activities and interactions. Language tests included: spontaneous symbol usage, formal lab matching tests (photo to Lexigram, spoken English to photo, English to Lexigram and synthesised speech to Lexigram)
What was Kanzis additional test?
Blind test in the forest, he had to lead a complete stranger of the forest to certain point using his knowledge of the 55 acre foraging sites! He was 100% correct.
Qualitative findings?
Kanzi and Mulika, used more explicit gestures to Austin and Sherman, Kanzi started using the Lexigram when he was 2.5 while Mulika used it from 12 months! Did very well on formal tests, making few errors when matching spoken English to Lexigram which Austin and Sherman struggled to do.
Quantitative findings?
At 30mths, Kanzi could acquire peanut, and 46mths it was hotdog. Over the whole period of the study, Kanzi acquired 46 words and Mulika acquired 37 words. Kanzis multi symbol utterances appeared within the first month of spontaneous keyboard usage, over 17mths he produced 2540 of non imitative combinations and 266 prompted combinations. 15% of K+Ms utterances were prompted and 80% spontaneous.
Conclusion?
As Kanzi was able to demonstrate symbol acquisition and spoken English comprehension without specific training, this study indicates that certain non human species have linguistic capabilities! Kanzis language acquisition indicates linguistic development in pygmee chimps is similar to that in humans.
Research method?
Longitudinal case study due to the in depth data gathered in relation to symbol acquisition and communication used by Kanzi, Mulika, Austin and Sherman. Development over 17 months.
