Fagen et al Flashcards
What was the aim of Fagen et al.’s elephant training study?
To investigate methods of training young elephants and assess the effectiveness of reinforcement techniques in promoting desired behaviors.
What type of reinforcement did Fagen et al. primarily use in their elephant training study?
Positive reinforcement, where elephants were rewarded for desired behaviors to encourage repetition of those behaviors.
What specific behaviors were the elephants trained to perform in Fagen et al.’s study?
Behaviors such as following commands, lifting their feet for foot care, and responding to vocal and physical cues.
How did Fagen et al. ensure that the elephants understood which behaviors were being reinforced?
The use of clear, consistent cues (both verbal and physical) combined with immediate rewards, such as food, to reinforce the correct behaviors.
What was one of the key findings from Fagen et al.’s study on elephant training?
Elephants quickly learned to associate specific cues with rewards, demonstrating that positive reinforcement is an effective training method for large animals like elephants.
Why was positive reinforcement chosen over other training methods in the Fagen et al. study?
Positive reinforcement is considered more humane and effective, promoting trust between the trainer and the animal, as opposed to negative or punishment-based methods.
What role did consistency play in the success of the training in Fagen et al.’s study?
Consistency in cues and rewards was crucial for ensuring that the elephants made the correct associations and could reliably repeat the trained behaviors.
How were undesired behaviors addressed in Fagen et al.’s elephant training study?
Undesired behaviors were typically ignored, as the focus was on rewarding positive behaviors rather than punishing negative ones, which could cause stress or fear.
What were the long-term benefits observed in elephants trained using positive reinforcement, according to Fagen et al.?
The elephants exhibited better cooperation with handlers, reduced stress, and an increased willingness to participate in care routines and daily activities.
How did the age of the elephants affect their learning in Fagen et al.’s study?
Younger elephants were more adaptable and responsive to training, demonstrating a faster learning curve compared to older elephants.
What were the ethical considerations of using positive reinforcement in the Fagen et al. study?
Positive reinforcement aligns with ethical animal training practices, as it promotes animal welfare, reduces stress, and avoids coercive methods.
How did Fagen et al. measure the success of the training program for elephants?
Success was measured by the frequency and reliability with which elephants performed the trained behaviors in response to cues.
