Single-trial learning of "what" and "who" information in a gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla): implications for episodic memory.
Single-trial learning and long-term memory of "what" and "who" information were examined in an adult gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). We presented the gorilla with a to-be-remembered food item at the time of study. In Experiment 1, following a retention interval of either approximately 7 min or 24 h, the gorilla responded with one of five cards, each corresponding to a particular food. The gorilla was accurate on 70% of the short retention-interval trials and on 82% of the long retention-interval trials. In Experiment 2, the food stimulus was provided by one of two experimenters, each of whom was represented by a card. The gorilla identified the food (55% of the time) and the experimenter (82% of the time) on the short retention-interval trials. On the long retention-interval trials, the gorilla was accurate for the food (73%) and for the person (87%). The results are interpreted in light of theories of episodic memory.
Schwartz
Bennett L
BL
Department of Psychology, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199, USA. schwartb@fiu.edu
Colon
Melanie R
MR
Sanchez
Isabel C
IC
Rodriguez
Isabel Alexa
IA
Evans
Siân
S
D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition; D006071:Gorilla gorilla / Q000523:psychology*; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D010465:Perception; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule