Dognition Flashcards
homologous evolution
close relatives of humans are studied suh as chimpanzees
convergent evolution
other animals such as meerkats are studied because they face similar selective pressures
cooperative breeding
other relatives look after offspring not just the parents
anthropogenic niche
domestic dogs solve problems that are even more similar to those faced by humans
domestication is a process
of selection. dogs selected for cognitive abilities that allow them to cooperate with people
dogs have complementary abilities aided in
hunting such as being faster and better motion detection/ night vision whereas humans have higher visual acuity
effects of domestication
appear in giant or dwarf varieties, floppy ears, variegated (light and dark) coats
experimental study of selective breeding of foxes
experimental group- dogs least aggressive- they were selected for breeding .
tracking
hounds track prey by smell and sight
when tracked by smell
footsteps can be followed- but not a continuous track
problem solving
finding the way back- dogs took a shorter route even though blindfolded and directed beforehand with treats
chapuis and varlet placed food at two points
dogs rarely returned to initial starting point - short cut
location understanding
experimenter moved boxes- 1 box had toys. dog searched correctly in control and AP. but incorrectly in RP
AP
absolute position - objects located dependent on where the dog is in the room
RP
relative position - object placed depending on the other objects around them
problem solving - pulling strings
animals pull strings to obtain rewards- test spaces understandings of means end - cause and effect relationships
wolves failed to
pull the right string- they pulled the string nearest the food
social learning
imitation
dogs salivated when observing other dogs being classically conditioned and ran faster when running in pairs than alone
lever pushing
learned from humans - lever released ball
5 conditions-demonstrations- push lever, touch control
imitation/demonstration was not necessary- no straightforward copying
understanding humans
pointing- food hidden under a cup-location was cued = average they did better
dogs can also understand
unusual pointing when opposite arm was completely across the body
gaze
dogs succeed most with the gaze when persons head,eyes and body move
begging
more likely to seek fd when there is an open invitation - not blindfolded
deception
deceiver pointed in the wrong direction for food - dogs learned slowl after 80 trials
social structure wolves
small family units - in the wild- juvenilles break off increasing aggression
play fighting
dogs play by rules - bow to initiate play
what is guilty face
facial expression plus associated behaviours that interpret feelings of guilt - knowledge of wrong doin
guilty behaviours
avoid eye contact, lying own, rolling to side, drop tail , wagging low
