Acquisition of the same/different concept by an African Grey parrot
Learning Approach
studies social learning theory and operant conditioning
social learning
(Psychology)
attention, retention, and reproduction
operant conditioning
(Psychology)
vicarious reinforcement and aversive stimuli
symbolic representation
(Psychology)
can Alex use vocal labels to understand sameness and difference between two objects?
Background
Alex already knew 80 objects based on shape, color, and material, and can request them
all symbolic representation studies have been done with chimpanzees and in complex situations
Pepperberg believed object differentiation was not limited to chimpanzees
Aim
to find out if Alex can use labels to demonstrate symbolize understanding of same and different
Hypothesis
A parrot, Alex, can use vocal labels for understanding concepts of same and different
Independent Variable
objects (novel and familiar)
Dependent Variable
response to the question “same/different?”
Method
laboratory
experimental case study with an animal
repeated measures because Alex is being exposed to both independent variables
Data
quantitative - tabulated right and wrong answers; any data over 33% shows he didn’t guess
Familiar Apparatus
color - red, blue, green
shapes - squares and triangles
material - wood and rawhide
Novel Apparatus
any color, shape, or material other than what is familiar
Participant
Alex, an African grey parrot purchased by Pepperberg at 1 year old in 1976, who lived until age 31 in 2007; opportunity sample
Control #1
When it comes to training Alex, two researchers (not Pepperberg) will be in charge
Control #2
When it comes to testing Alex, researchers other than the trainers will train Alex
Control #3
Another researcher not involved in the experiment will pair objects together
Control #4
Pepperberg will never directly look at Alex during the experiment
Control #5
The amount of time spent teaching is short
General Design Part 1
Alex could already name at least five colors, seven shapes, and four materials
General Design Part 2
Alex has some comprehension as to what color or what shape
General Design Part 3
Alex will only ever be assessed on color, shape, and material
General Design Part 4
The task is to identify characteristics compared to another object
General Design Part 5
The novel stimuli is used for transfer information
General Design Part 6
To make sure Alex couldn’t memorize combinations, Pepperberg made the number of possible stimulus pairs too big
General Training Step 1
There will be two research assistants. Research Assistant 1 is the trainer, and Research Assistant 2 is the model. Research Assistant 1 will present an object, and ask questions to Research Assistant 2. If they answer right, they get the object, and if they get it wrong, it is taken away, hidden from sight, and brought back later.
General Training Step 2
The two researchers flip roles, so Researcher 1 answers the questions and Researcher 2 asks them, but if Alex answers the question correctly first, he gets the object, or can ask for a different object
General Training Step 3
Once Alex is trained on all his familiars, he moves on to Same/Different Training
Same/Different Training Step 1
The researchers use the same Model-Rival technique, but instead of one object presented at a time, the trainer presents two at a time, and the question “what same/what different” is asked
Same/Different Training Step 2
Once they go through all the pairs, the roles are swapped, and Alex is added in. Since Alex can’t say the word “material,” instead he is taught to say “mah-mah”
Testing Step 1 (familiar objects)
Over 26 months, in any given week, Alex will be tested 1 to 4 times. A new secondary trainer will present the items to Alex. They will present 2 objects to Alex, and will ask “what same/what different?” If Alex correctly answers, he gets the object or another one of his choosing, and if he incorrectly answers, he is told “No!,” the object is taken away, and it is brought back later. They keep doing this until he gets them all right. During the trial phase, Alex will complete other activities to prevent boredom. The questions “what same?” and “what different?” will always be alternating . Once Alex got a pair correct, the same pair and question could never be asked again
Testing Step 2 (transfer objects)
Alex will be presented with objects not part of his familiars. The novel stimuli would be placed in the lab several days prior to being presented so as not to freak him out
Testing Step 3 (use of probes)
When certain pairs are put together, they will have multiple “what same” or “what different” answers
Data
quantitative - correct responses
Finding #1
Alex scored a 69/99 (69.7%) on the first-response trials for the familiar objects
Finding #2
Alex scored a 99/129 (76.7%) on the total trials for familiar objects
Finding #3
Alex scored a 79/96 (82%) on the first-response on the first-response trials for transfer objects
Finding #4
Alex scored a 96/113 (85%) on the total trials for transfer objects
Finding #5
Alex scored a 55/61 (90%) on the total trials for transfer objects
Conclusion #1
Alex has symbolic representation; he can categorize and comprehend same/different
Conclusion #2
Guessing never played a role in the results
Conclusion #3
Symbolic representation isn’t only for primates
Ethics
None, because the participant is an animal
Strength #1
The procedure is highly detailed and standardized
Strength #2
The experiment is highly controlled
Strength #3
It’s a case study that lasted over 2 years, so it provided lots of in-depth data
Strength #4
It solidifies the use of learning theory techniques in animals
Weakness #1
The tasks of a parrot being trained for symbolic representation and playing with objects lacks mundane realism
Weakness #2
Alex himself is too unique to be generalized to other African grey parrots
Weakness #3
The laboratory setting lowers ecological validity
Use of Animals
(Issues & Debates)
Numbers: only one animal is used
Rewards: Alex is rewarded for correctness, and isn’t deprived
Housing: Alex was put in his usual cage, without other parrots, but he gets social interaction
Nature v. Nurture
(Issues & Debates)
Alex went through extensive training protocol, so this study supports nurture
Application
(Issues & Debates)
to training animals to perform certain tasks
to training service and working dogs