LEARNING APPROACH-Fagen et al. (Elephant learning) Flashcards
Describe the background of the study
- Traditional mahouts would use negative reinforcement/ aversive stimuli (punishments) to train elephants
- These methods were seen as harmful so the study decided to use rewards instead.
- the target behaviour was a “trunk wash”
- SPR training was used and this had the secondary reinforcer to be associated with the primary reinforcer.
what terms in the study was being tested (Psychology being investigated)
-operant conditioning
-punishment
-behavioural shaping &chaining
-secondary positive reinforcement
-primary and secondary reinforcer
what is operant conditioning
a process of learning through positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and/or punishment
- Behaviours are reinforced through rewards and behaviours that are punished become less likely
primary vs secondary reinforcers
Primary- rewards given to fulfil a biological need e.g food
Secondary- rewards that are given that do not cause a natural response to desire them however are learnt to be desired
what is the aim of secondary positive reinforcement
a secondary reinforcer is reinforced by a neutral stimuli (whistle) which is consistently followed by a primary reinforcer which is often food
what are the advantages of SPR training
-safer conditions for handlers
-increased creativity and choice for animals
-less stressful sample collection
-open to veterinary procedures that may cause pain
-reduced need for anaesthesia
what main disease were the trainers trying to investigate from the elephants
-Tuberculosis
what was the aim of the study
To determine the effectiveness of SPR training free-contact elephants to voluntarily participate in a truck wash for the purpose of TB testing
Features of the sample
-5 elephants
-all female
-4 were juvenile and 1 adult
-ages ranged 5-7 years old and 50 years
-all elephants were docile
-no previous training with SPR
-same elephant stable in Nepal
what was the primary and secondary reinforcer of the study
primary- chopped banana
secondary- a whistle blow
what were the training session times
7:30am- 10:00am
4:00pm-7:00pm
how is this training distinguished from the USAHA Elephant TB subcommittee
The method in the actual study is more active as it requires the elephants to actively move their trunk in the required position themselves by a cue
How did the trainers pair up the reinforcers
After every whistle blow, chopped banana was immediately followed up
what are the training tools/techniques of this study
-capture
-shaping
-lure
CAPTURE:
A useful technique that captures a natural behaviour by repeatedly rewarding it.
LURE:
Through strategic placement of the reward, a wanted body position is reached
SHAPING:
The tendency to use positive reinforcement on successful approximation on the goal behaviour
What is behavioural chaining
This enables separately trained behaviours to be performed in succession in response to cues. Rewards are therefore presented until the chain is completed.
describe TRUNK HERE:
The elephant placed her trunk on the trainers palm to receive the saline solution via the lure method by placing the chopped banana on the trainers palm
This was further shaped by only giving the banana after the trunk was placed on the trainers palm