Fagen et al.'s learning core study on elephant learning

Question 1

2 Assumptions of the learning approach

Answer 1

• we begin life as a blank slate and are shaped by our enviroment and these changes are directly observable
• Learn through operant/classical conditioing and social learning. Understood using stimulus response model

Question 2

Assumptions of the learning approach and how they relate to this core study.

Answer 2

Assumption states how we learn through operant conditioing. In Bandura researchers studied the different types of reinforcement and punishment used in operant conditiing to train the elephant to succesfully do a trunk wash

Question 3

The psychology that is being investigated

Answer 3

*** operant conditioning **: behaviors that are completed correctly are rewarded
* shaping: a behavior is gradually modified in smaller phases to gain the entire skill
* behavioral chaining: a sequence of behaviors that must be completed in the correct order

Question 4

Explain postive/negative reinforcement/punishment

4 points

Answer 4

• postive reinforcment: give to increase behaviour
• negative reinforcment: take away something to increase that behaviour
• Postive punishment: give to decrease behaviour
• Negative punishment: take away to decrease that behaviour

Question 5

Exaplin foward chaining

Answer 5

We first behaviour is completed it is rewarded. Then when first AND second complete then rewarded. So forth till the end behaviour is rewarded

Question 6

explain backward chaining

Answer 6

Last behaviour is rewarded. then the behaviour before and so forth till the end.

Question 7

Why did researchers want elephants to complete a trunk was

Answer 7

to be able to test them for tuberculosis

Question 8

The background

Answer 8

Traditionally elephants are trained using operant conditioning, punishment for bad behavior. This study uses secondary positive reinforcement (SPR) to reward elephant for behaviors

Question 9

The aims

Answer 9

Whether SPR techniques could be effective to train free-contact elephants in Nepal. Training them to voluntarily participate in a trunk wash, a procedure necessary for tuberculosis testing.

Question 10

Training Methodology

Answer 10

• The SPR technique involved using a short whistle blow as the secondary reinforcer and chopped bananas as the primary reinforcer.
• Training occurred in morning and afternoon sessions while the elephants were chained in their stalls.
• The presence of the elephants’ mahouts was required for safety, but they were instructed not to interact with the elephants during training sessions.

Question 11

Identify the primary and secondary reinforcer

Answer 11

• primary: copied banana’s
• secondary: short Whistle

Question 12

State 2 of the behavioural task

Answer 12

• Trunk here (placing the trunk in the trainer’s hand)
• Trunk up (lifting the trunk upward)

Question 13

The procedures

Answer 13

• Each behavior task was introduced, practiced, and reinforced individually before being integrated into sequential chains of behaviors necessary for trunk wash participation.
• Session times were recorded to the minute, starting from the first cue offered to the elephant until its response to the last cue.
• The total number of offers for each behavior task in every session was tallied.
• Performance tests were administered approximately every five sessions, with a passing score set at 80% or higher for each task.
• If an elephant failed to pass a task, retesting was conducted to determine the point of failure and adjust training strategies accordingly.

Question 14

What was employed to determine significant differnces in task

Answer 14

one-way alaysis of variance

Question 15

The research method used

Answer 15

Observation

Question 16

The number of participants and where they are from the controls used

Answer 16

• 5 female elephants
• 4 were 5-7 yrs old
• 5th was +50 yrs old

Question 17

Outline 3 critera for elephant selection

Answer 17

• had a willing handler
• no pregent or had a calf
• no prior exposer to SPR training

Question 18

The controls used

Answer 18

• same behavioural check list in all sessions
• same verbales cues
• training always in stalls

Question 19

Data collection method used

Answer 19

Quantitative data:
Sessions times
Number of sessions passed
Number of offers
Number of training sessions

Question 20

Ethical issues

Answer 20

• Elephants were housed in their usual place
• reward bananas addition to usal diet (not food deprived)

Question 21

Results

Quantitative/qualitative data & how it is represented and interpeted

Answer 21

• The elephant’s performance improved from the beginning of the training to a mean success rate of 89% at the end.

Question 22

Conclusions drawn

Answer 22

• Its possible to train elephants to voultarily particpate in trunck wash secondary postive reinforcement

Question 23

sampling technique

Answer 23

opportunity

Question 24

Strengths
Methodological issues:

Reserach method, reliabilty,validty,generalibily,& control of variables

Answer 24

• Reliabilty: has standerdized porcdure to allow for replicatio, behaviour check list, defentitions for SPR traning.
• Quantative datat: use of the behaviour check list direct comparsions can be made on offered needed to pass performance test. Trunk here needed 300 offers and HFUBB needed 110

HFUBB (here, fluid, up, bucket, blow)

Question 25

Weakness
Methodological Issues

Reserach method, reliabilty,validty,generalibily,& control of variables

Answer 25

• validty: during traning there were distraction. Other animals and the afternoon session was near dinner. Can not be certian the results are valid and IV is affecting DV.
• generlisation: study used oportunity sampling and there all from Nepal. They were all female. Harder to genelized to males or older then juvenile

Question 26

Everyday life

The issues of application of psychology and how it realtes to the study

Answer 26

• . Application of SPR training techniques in training captive elephants demonstrates the potential versatility and effectiveness of positive reinforcement methods across different animal species. By adapting these techniques to suit the specific needs and behaviors of various species, caregivers and trainers can promote better welfare and management practices for a wide range of animals in captivity.

Question 27

Individual and Situational explanations debate

how it relates to the study

Answer 27

Situational: By designing systematic training protocols and employing appropriate reinforcement strategies, the study demonstrates how environmental interventions can shape elephant behavior. Recognizing the interaction between individual and situational factors is essential for devising tailored training interventions that address the specific needs of each elephant.

Question 28

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

How it relates to the study

Answer 28

• Nurture elephants in SPR protocals to develop learned behaviour. Primary reinforcers about new behaviours over time

Question 29

Use of animals in psychological

how to relates to study

Answer 29

• Diet was fresh grass and dhana
• access to water when grazing