Empty sets as part of the numerical continuum: conceptual precursors to the zero concept in rhesus monkeys.

Full Abstract

The goal of the current research was to explore whether monkeys possess conceptual precursors necessary for understanding zero. We trained rhesus monkeys on a nonsymbolic numerical matching-to-sample task, and on a numerical ordering task. We then introduced nondifferentially reinforced trials that contained empty sets to determine whether monkeys would treat empty sets as numerical values. All monkeys successfully matched and ordered the empty sets without any training. Accuracy showed distance effects, indicating that they treated empty sets as values on a numerical continuum. (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

Author information

Author/s: Merritt, Dustin J (DJ); Rugani, Rosa (R); Brannon, Elizabeth M (EM);

Affiliation: Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0999, USA. djm20(-atsign-)duke.edu

Grants: R01 HD49912 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of experimental psychology. General (J Exp Psychol Gen), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-May; vol 138 (issue 2) : pp 258-69

Dates: Created 2009/04/28; Completed 2009/06/26;

PMID: 19397383, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/26/2009, IMS Date: 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00)

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

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