Pepperberg Parrot Learning Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the approach based on reinforcements and punishments?

Operant Conditioning

Which field of psychology focuses on operant conditioning?

Clinical Psychology

Cognitive Psychology

Social Psychology

Learning Psychology (correct)

What did Premack's research suggest about pigeons?

Pigeons may understand same but not different.

What abilities did Alex the parrot have?

Categorize objects, count up to 6, use functional phrases. Signup and view all the answers

The four processes Alex needs to go through to get a correct response are ATTEND, DETERMINE, WORK OUT, and ______.

PRODUCE Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of the study involving Alex?

To see if an avian subject could use vocal labels to demonstrate symbolic comprehension of the concepts same and different. Signup and view all the answers

What was the independent variable in the study?

Whether the object is familiar or novel. Signup and view all the answers

What was the dependent variable in the study?

Response to the questions, 'what's same/different?' Signup and view all the answers

How long was the duration of testing?

26 months Signup and view all the answers

Who was the participant in the study?

One African Grey parrot. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the trainer have in the Model/Rival Approach?

One human acts as a trainer to a second human who models behavior for Alex. Signup and view all the answers

What materials were used in training?

Colors: red, blue, green Signup and view all the answers

How did the researchers reduce demand characteristics?

A secondary trainer conducted testing while the primary trainer was out of view. Signup and view all the answers

What was the correct response to Alex's successful answers?

Alex was rewarded with praise and items. Signup and view all the answers

What happened when Alex provided an incorrect response?

He was told, 'No!' and the object was removed. Signup and view all the answers

How could the trainers tell that Alex was bored?

He stopped vocalizations and started to preen. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ethical considerations with their descriptions:

Housing = Alex was placed in a cage during the night Numbers = Only one parrot was used Rewards = Alex was not deprived of food if he answered incorrectly Signup and view all the answers

How long did it take for Alex to learn color and shape labels?

4 months Signup and view all the answers

What were the results of Alex's first trial with familiar objects?

70% correct Signup and view all the answers

What were the results of Alex's first trial with novel objects?

82% correct Signup and view all the answers

What conclusions were drawn about parrots from the study?

Parrots can demonstrate comprehension of symbolic concepts Signup and view all the answers

What is one strength of this research?

Lab experiment with standardized procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is a weakness of this research?

Low generalizability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Approach

Operant conditioning involves behavioral responses influenced by reinforcements and punishments.

Psychological Aspects

Investigates learning psychology through operant conditioning and cognitive psychology regarding categorization.

Historical Context

Premack's research indicated that pigeons could understand sameness but struggled with differences, highlighting non-human primates' ability to communicate abstract ideas.

Previous Research with Alex

Alex, an African Grey parrot, demonstrated an ability to categorize objects, count to six, and use functional phrases, recognizing four colors and shapes, along with various materials.

Processes for Correct Response

Alex's response requires attending to object features, determining if a response pertains to sameness or difference, working out the respective attributes, and vocally producing a categorical response.

Research Aim

The aim was to assess whether Alex could use vocal labels to symbolize comprehension of "same" and "different."

Independent Variable

Variation based on whether the objects were familiar to Alex or novel.

Dependent Variable

The nature of Alex's responses to questions regarding sameness or difference.

Duration of Study

Testing occurred over a span of 26 months.

Participant Details

Involved one African Grey parrot, Alex, selected from an opportunity sample.

Model/Rival Approach

The training involved a human trainer and a second human acting as a rival, asking questions and providing feedback while Alex observed.

Training Materials

Objects used in training included shapes (triangles or squares), colors (red, green, blue), and materials (rawhide or wood).

Minimizing Demand Characteristics

A secondary trainer supervised Alex's testing, while the primary trainer was present but not directly engaged with him to minimize bias.

Reinforcement Mechanism

Correct responses from Alex were met with praise and rewarded with items.

Handling Incorrect Responses

Incorrect answers led to Alex being told "No" and the removal of the object, with repetition until a correct response was achieved.

Indicators of Boredom

Alex displayed boredom by ceasing vocalizations and engaging in preening behavior.

Ethical Considerations

Housing in a cage overnight, using only one parrot, and ensuring Alex was not deprived of food for incorrect answers while provided extra if requested.

Training Outcomes

Achieved understanding of color and shape labels within four months, and materials in nine months.

Familiar Object Results

Achieved 70% correctness on the first trial, with an overall accuracy of 77%.

Novel Object Results

Correctness was 82% for the first trial, with an overall accuracy of 85% (86% when one object was novel, 83% when both were novel).

Conclusions

Parrots can comprehend symbolic concepts of sameness and difference; they can answer verbal inquiries with categorical labels, indicating that symbolic representation isn't limited to primates.

Strengths of the Study

Conducted in a lab with standardized procedures, ensuring valid research with minimal bias.

Weaknesses of the Study

Findings have low generalizability and ecological validity.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of parrot learning through the lens of psychology with these flashcards. Delve into concepts such as operant conditioning, cognitive psychology, and symbol representation used in animal learning. Expand your understanding of how these elements interact in the studies of Pepperberg.