Abstract-concept learning and list-memory processing by capuchin and rhesus monkeys.

Full Abstract

Three capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) touched the lower of 2 pictures (same) or a white rectangle (different), increased same/different abstract-concept learning (52% to 87%) with set-size increases (8 to 128 pictures), and were better than 3 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Three other rhesus that touched the top picture before choices learned similar to capuchins but were better at list-memory learning. Both species' serial position functions were similar in shape and changes with retention delays. Other species showed qualitatively similar shape changes but quantitatively different time-course changes. In abstract-concept learning, qualitative similarity was shown by complete concept learning, whereas a quantitative difference would have been a set-size slope difference. Qualitative similarity is discussed in relation to general-process versus modular cognitive accounts.

Author information

Author/s: Wright, Anthony A (AA); Rivera, Jacquelyne J (JJ); Katz, Jeffrey S (JS); Bachevalier, Jocelyne (J);

Affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, P.O. Box 20708, Houston, Texas 77225, USA. anthony.a.wright(-atsign-)uth.tmc.edu

Grants: DA-10715 (Agency:NIDA NIH HHS) ; MH-12511 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; MH-35202 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; MH-54167 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; NS-07373 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of experimental psychology. Animal behavior processes (J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Jul; vol 29 (issue 3) : pp 184-98

Dates: Created 2003/07/29; Completed 2004/01/28; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 12884678, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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