Pepperberg parrot learning Flashcards
psych being tested
comprehension of same and differnet
Why were there order effects?
repetitive measure of the testing
how were order effects reduced?
by also training him on number concepts, new labels, object permanence
for how long was the testing for?
2 years (1984-1986)
what other cognitive abilities was Alex able to carry out other than what’s same or different? (3)
- use of english vocalisations
- identifying, requesting, refusing or commenting upon objects
- these were 80 different objects of various colours, shapes and materials
what does it fit social learning theory? (2)
- study uses model rivalry technique
- used operant conditioning where alex was rewarded or punished if right/wrong
what is trainer induced cuing
the trainer could hint at what is required of the participant
how was trainer induced cuing resolved
the use of secondary trainers and the fact that the principal trainer did not take part in the testing.
why was principal trainer not looking at the bird?
to prevent cuing or signalling at the bird
Aim
to see if an avian subject could use vocal labels to demonstrate symbolic comprehension of the concepts of same and different
sample
opportunity
participant
african grey parrot named alex
housing of ppt
was allowed to roam around and ask for things that it wanted. sleeped in a cage and was given water and seed mix
Method
lab experiment and case study
how long before had he been learning language
9 years
Training occured how many times a week?
1-4 times
How long did training sessions last?
5 minutes to 1 hour
how was double blind technique used?
Neither the participant nor the principal trainer knew which order the questions would be asked. A student not involved in the study chose the pairs
IV
whether the object was familiar or novel
DV
whether the objects responds correctly to the questions
What did other research on same/different use? (3)
- two choice design to indicate whether the objects do or do not match
- similar answers for both- e.g. leverpressing
- same pairs in everything, different pairs in everything
Apparatus used in training (colour, shape and material )
red green blue
triangle square
rawhide or wood
Premack’s conclusions on abilities needed to figure out what is same?
○ They must recognise that two independent objects were both blue and that this aspect makes them the same
○They must also recognise the sameness can be ‘immediately extrapolated and symbolically represented not only for two other blue items but for two novel, independent green items. These have nothing in common with the first item
During the course of the experiment, which two colours and one shape’s labels did he acquire
Orange
Purple
Hexagon
Correct response was only recorded if
Alex vocalised the correct category i.e colour not blue
Alex’s performance with the familiar objects (all trails)
99/129 (76.6%)
Alex’s performance with the unfamiliar objects (all trails)
96/113 (85%)
Alex’s performance with the familiar objects (first trail)
69/99 (69.7%)
Alex’s performance with the unfamiliar objects (first trail)
82.3%
Conclusions (3)
An avian subject, an African Grey Parrot, showed symbolic comprehension/ cognitive ability of the concept of same and different
Because his scores on all tests were significantly above chance, this suggests that he understood what the questions were asking. This was then shown via the probe questioning
It would therefore appear that symbolic representation, in this case of same and different, is not exclusive to primates
What was the model rivalry technique (5)
- one human acts as a trainer to a second human
- they present objects and ask questions about the objects
- they are rewarded for correct answers
- they show disapproval for incorrect answers
- the second human acts as a model for the parrot but is also the rival for the trainer’s attention
Give an example of an object that would be presented at the same time as the blue wooden triangle
- yellow wooden triangle
- blue wooden square
Describe the ethic of replacement (2)
The research team need to have considered alternatives like video footage
The research team should consider using footage from the wild as evidence
Describe the ethic Number of animals
The researchers needed to use the minimum amount of animals necessary to fulfil the aim of the study
Alex was the only participant
Describe the ethic housing
Housing should take into account the social behaviour of the species
Alex was housed alone which might be stressful as parrots are social animals
Describe the ethic deprivation
The research team should not withhold food or basic needs to test social behaviour
Alex was given extra food if he asked
What was Alex allowed to do during non-sleeping hours? (5)
- he was allowed free access to all parts of the lab
- he was allowed to eat any standard food/ drink as much water as he wanted
- he could request fresh fruit
- he could request toys
- his requests had to be contingent in a correct vocalisation
Four colours that Alex could already name (4)
rose
grey
green
blue
Real life application
By using the model/rival technique, the child can learn the concepts through rewards and punishments
