Are_large_dogs_smarter_than_sm
Page 1: Title and Author
Title: Are Large Dogs Smarter Than Small Dogs? Investigating Within Species Differences in Large and Small Dogs: Spatial Memory
Author: Megan S. Broadway
Affiliation: University of Southern Mississippi
Degree: Master of Arts
Date: December 11, 2015
Access: Available on Aquila Digital Community
Page 2: Copyright Notice
Copyright Status: All rights reserved
Quality Dependence: Quality of reproduction is dependent on the original submission.
ProQuest Information: Reproduction protected under Title 17, US Copyright Law.
ProQuest Number: 1602655
Page 3: Thesis Submission
Thesis Submitted To: Graduate School and Department of Psychology at The University of Southern Mississippi
Committee Members:
Dr. Heidi Lyn (Chair)
Dr. Stanley A. Kuczaj II
Dr. Richard S. Mohn
Dr. Karen S. Coats (Dean of the Graduate School)
Page 4: Abstract
Research Focus: Studying canine cognition to understand cognitive abilities' development affected by artificial selection among dog breeds.
Key Findings: No broad cognitive differences between large and small dogs were identified, although slight differences were observed based on sex and spay/neuter status.
Conclusion: Performance disparities in cognitive tasks may stem from experiential factors rather than physiological size-related differences.
Page 5: Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments: Appreciation expressed to Humane Society of South Mississippi for participant support, undergraduate students for assistance, and Dr. Heidi Lyn for guidance.
Page 6: Table of Contents
Chapters:
Chapter I: Introduction
Chapter II: Methods
Chapter III: Results
Chapter IV: Discussion
Appendix and References
Page 7: List of Tables
Table 1: Description of subjects
Page 8: List of Illustrations
Figures:
Experimental arrangement and task results
Graphs indicating performances across differential groups
Page 9: List of Abbreviations
Abbreviations Used:
CCCAA: Comparative Cognition and Communication Assessment Array
PCTB: Primate Cognitive Test Battery
HSSM: Humane Society of South Mississippi
Page 10: Chapter I - Introduction
Goal of Comparative Psychology: Understanding evolution's role in cognitive abilities related to social environments.
Importance of Dogs: Models for understanding genetic research and cognitive evolution through domestication.
Page 11: Physical and Behavioral Diversity
Canis Familiaris: Unique variation in size and behavior due to specific historical breeding practices.
Page 12: Domestication Comparison
Comparative Studies: Dogs and wolves exhibit similar cognitive abilities when raised in controlled conditions.
Page 13: Breed-based Cognitive Differences
Perception of Intelligence Among Breeds: Insights into breed traits and trainability underpinned by breed selection rather than cognitive differences.
Page 14: Size and Perceived Intelligence
Genetic Regulation of Size: Small set of genes influencing size classifications affect perceptions of intelligence among breeds.
Page 15: Health Issues Relating to Size
Health Risks: Selective breeding creates vulnerabilities in large and small dogs leading to various health concerns.
Page 16: Skull Morphology Differences
Effects of Selective Breeding: Changes in skull shape affect sensory capabilities and potential cognitive functions.
Page 17: Vision and Cognitive Function
Skull Shape Impact: Differences in eye positioning affect potential visual skills and cognitive strategies in dogs.
Page 18: Overview of Previous Studies
Findings from Studies: Aggregate results indicate changes in cognitive abilities between dog sizes, specifically regarding task performance.
Page 19: Training and Experience
Impact of Training: Large and small dogs experience different degrees of training influence cognitive performance, affecting task outcomes.
Page 20: Working vs Non-working Breeds
Effect of Working Status: Cognitive performance may align more closely with type of training and breed category rather than size alone.
Page 21: Influence of Size on Cognitive Tasks
Cognitive Performance: Spatial memory tasks are less impacted while exploring broader variables such as size and sex.
Page 22: Definition of Cognitive Tasks
Cognitive Tasks Overview: Spatial memory and object permanence are critical in higher cognitive functions studies.
Page 23: Methodology in Cognitive Assessment
Approaches to Testing: Varied methodologies incorporate essential object permanence assessments in dogs and other species.
Page 24: Visible Displacement Tasks in Dogs
Cognitive Testing Procedures: Dogs demonstrate capabilities in visible displacement tasks with significant variation in methodology affecting results.
Page 25: Advanced Cognitive Assessments
Transposition Tasks and Findings: Dogs react differently to placement tasks depending on context and method utilized, influencing apparent cognitive ability.
Page 26: Object Permanence and Spatial Memory Tasks
Analysis of Object Permanence in Dogs: Mixed results from previous studies indicate variability in dog cognition regarding the displacement tasks.
Page 27: CCCAA and Test Participants
CCC Assessment Used: Comparative Cognition assessments integrated various cognitive tasks specific to dog breeds underwent testing in controlled environments.
Page 28: Description of Testing Subjects
Demographic Overview: Dogs were evaluated based on size, sex, and previous training experiences, informing cognitive assessments.
Page 29-30: Participant Details and Matching
Summary of Participants: Individual characteristics were noted across participating dogs, resulting in statistical balancing for analysis.
Page 31: Testing Environment Overview
Testing Setup: Detail on arrangement for cognitive tasks including use of occluder cups and food reward placement.
Page 32: Tracking Participation and Motivation
Participant Handling and Rewards: Outline of methods to maintain dog motivation and interest throughout testing sessions.
Page 33-36: Task Definitions and Assignments
Breakdown of Cognitive Tasks: Specific tasks outlined for assessing spatial memory, object permanence, and transposition abilities among subjects.
Page 37-41: Data Analysis and Methodologies
Statistical Examination: Deployment of MANCOVA and t-tests to ascertain performance metrics across sexes and size groups exposed in cognitive tasks.
Page 42: Results Summary
Statistical Findings: Summary of results showing that sex and altered status influenced performance levels across various cognitive tasks.
Page 43: Performance Comparisons
Analysis of Variances: Comparative performance metrics are presented focusing on cognitive tasks relative to chance outcomes across dog sizes and sexes.
Page 44-46: Discussion of Findings
Implications of Research: Discussion of interpretations regarding cognitive task performance linked to size and training, emphasizing future directions for research.
Page 47: Conclusions Drawn
Final Takeaways: Summary stating that cognitive differences in dogs may not be substantially affected by size as previously suggested; rather impacted by training and experience.
Page 48-53: Conclusion and Supporting Documents
Appendix and References: Compilation of supporting documents and situating data reference standards for research integrity in ongoing studies.