Comparative Cognition

Bob BatsellKalamazoo College Kalamazoo, MI USA

October 21-25, 2013

Comparative Cognition Introduction

Comparative Cognition is the study of how animals, both human and nonhuman animals, acquire, process, store, and act on information. Furthermore, the comparison of similarities and differences across species can provide insight in the evolution of cognition and the anatomical structures necessary to support such processes. As such, this unit should serve as a compliment to Prof. Miklosi’s Cognitive Ethology unit.

Comparative Cognition Introduction

In this research area, some common questions that we will explore include:

*Which cognitive abilities can be demonstrated in non-humans animals?

*Are the patterns of responding for these abilities similar across different species?

*Are simpler explanations than cognitive ability a more plausible explanation for the observed behavior?

Classic Example: Wright et al. ( 1985)

“The U-shaped serial-position function is a prominent benchmark of our understanding of memory processing. Typically recognition or recall memory is better for the first list items (primacy effect) and the last list items (recency effect) than it is for the middle items.”

Hypothesis: Different species will demonstrate the serial position curve effect

Wright et al. (1985) Procedure

• Subjects: Pigeons, Monkeys, Humans• Procedure: Ss shown a series of 4 visual

stimuli (travel slides or kaleidoscope slides) 1 at a time. Following a retention interval, Ss shown a slide and needed to respond to indicate “same” if the probe slide was part of the series or “different” if the probe slide was not part of the series.

Wright et al. (1985) Results

Wright et al. (1985) Conclusions

• The data in the previous slide showed three unique patterns of responding were present across all three species:– 1. The recency effect (superior memory for just

viewed items) was present at short testing (first column)

– 2. The u-shaped serial position curve effect was present (columns 3 and 4)

– 3. The primacy effect (superior memory for items at the beginning of the list) was present (last column).

Comparative Cognition Conclusion

• During our week in Budapest, we will use this approach to explore different cognitive abilities with different animal species to appreciate the continuity/discontinuity across species.