Same/different abstract-concept learning by pigeons.
Eight pigeons were trained and tested in a simultaneous same/different task. After pecking an upper picture, they pecked a lower picture to indicate same or a white rectangle to indicate different. Increases in the training set size from 8 to 1,024 items produced improved transfer from 51.3% to 84.6%. This is the first evidence that pigeons can perform a two-item same/different task as accurately with novel items as training items and both above 80% correct. Fixed-set control groups ruled out training time or transfer testing as producing the high level of abstract-concept learning. Comparisons with similar experiments with rhesus and capuchin monkeys showed that the ability to learn the same/different abstract concept was similar but that pigeons require more training exemplars.
Katz
Jeffrey S
JS
Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. katzjef@auburn.edu
Wright
Anthony A
AA
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003071:Cognition; D010856:Columbidae; D003210:Concept Formation; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D007858:Learning