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Test of object permanence in primates
Gálik, Michal ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Špinka, Marek (referee)
5 ABSTRACT Object permanence is a cognitive ability to perceive the continuous existence of objects, even if they cannot be directly observed, respectively perceived by other senses (Piaget 1954). In humans object permanence develops in 6 qualitatively different stages. By using a comparative approach, it was found that the last stage 6 of this ability also occurs in great apes, gibbons and some New World monkeys (capuchin, marmoset and tamarin). In this study, we conducted a study with a series of invisible displacements of an object, in which we investigated whether two rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) have fully developed the ability of object permanence and don't rely on simple alternative cognitive strategies, while solving the different tasks. With one test subject, we confirmed that he solved the tasks with stage 6 object permanence abilities. Although the second individual reached significant performance in some sessions, the overall results are ambiguous, because during the testing he had a tendency to use simple alternative strategies. Our study concludes that under certain circumstances macaques have the cognitive capacity for a fully developed ability of object permanence. Key words: Object permanence, rhesus macaque, invisible displacement, cognitive functions
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Relative numerosity discrimination in primates
Moravcová, Anna ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Petrásek, Tomáš (referee)
This work is focused on numerical competence in primates specifically focusing on relative numerosity, one of the many aspects of these cognitive abilities. Relative numerosity is an ability to discriminate a larger quantity from a smaller amount or smaller quantity from a larger amount and could be classified as one of the easiest numerical competence. In this work I have summarized the present knowledge of numerical competences in primates, which have been so far studied only in a few species of primates, most of them was rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). In the experimental part I focused on the research of relative numerosity in rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). The goal of my work was to find out whether macaques are able to solve the problem of relative abundance with different types of stimuli. Another goal was to find out whether they are able to generalize information about relative abundance and whether they can apply it for new design of the task. The results confirm that macaques possess the ability of relative numerosity and are able to abstract stimuli that are differing in their character. This proves that they are not learning to recognize a particular stimul, but are able to use this numerical skill on any type of stimul. I also found out that...
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Numerical competence in primates
Rejlová, Markéta ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Komárková, Martina (referee)
Numerical competences include the number of abilities as representation of the quantity and transformations or operations with quantity. Many species of animals can use these abilities for example during searching for food, sexual partners and also for detection of number of competitors or predators. Numerical abilities such as counting or estimating quantity can increase the chance of survival and reproduction. In this work, I summarize some previous studies of numerical competences in primates and humans and I also mention experiments in other species. I divide the competences into chapters: estimating of the numbers (relative and absolute), counting, summation, conservation of quantity, proportion, ordinality and transitivity. The aim of this study was to study the ability of macaques (Macaca mulatta) to distinguish between the quantities of two sets. In the following part of experiment I observed the preference of monkeys for size or the number of stimuli. This preference was studied also in children. The results confirm the ability of relative numerousness judgment of monkeys. The results demonstrate that with increasing difference of quantity between the two sets the ability of distinguish between the two quantities also increase. Other experiment studied preference of larger number of...
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Relative numerosity discrimination in primates
Moravcová, Anna ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Petrásek, Tomáš (referee)
This work is focused on numerical competence in primates specifically focusing on relative numerosity, one of the many aspects of these cognitive abilities. Relative numerosity is an ability to discriminate a larger quantity from a smaller amount or smaller quantity from a larger amount and could be classified as one of the easiest numerical competence. In this work I have summarized the present knowledge of numerical competences in primates, which have been so far studied only in a few species of primates, most of them was rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). In the experimental part I focused on the research of relative numerosity in rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). The goal of my work was to find out whether macaques are able to solve the problem of relative abundance with different types of stimuli. Another goal was to find out whether they are able to generalize information about relative abundance and whether they can apply it for new design of the task. The results confirm that macaques possess the ability of relative numerosity and are able to abstract stimuli that are differing in their character. This proves that they are not learning to recognize a particular stimul, but are able to use this numerical skill on any type of stimul. I also found out that...
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Spontaneous preference for colors in humans and non-human primates: Comparative study
Skalníková, Petra ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Sedláček, František (referee)
Colors and color-perception may play an important role in animal ethology (foraging, intra or inter-species communication). However, trichromatic color vision is quite rare among mammals and occurs only in some primate species. Humans, apes, and most of the Old World primates are trichromats, whereas color vision among New World primate species varies strikingly. The pigment gene perciving longer wavelenghts (red) have appeared most recently. Moreover, the pigment genes for the perception of red color have appear independently in these two primates lines (Old and New World) (Kainz et al, 1998). Although the genetic mechanism of trichromacy is quite understood, the question remains, what was the adaptive advantage responsible for the spreading of the above mentioned genes. The basic functions of trichromatic vision may be better detection of food (folivory and frugivory hypothesis), signaling or warning functions. The main goals of the thesis is to study spontaneous preference for color in children (pre- school and school age) and non-human Old World primates who have routine trichromic vision. Moreover, the thesis will focus on preference of red color to understand what was an adaptive function of red color perception. We assume that the spontaneous preference for color may reflect an adaptive...
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Numerical competence in primates
Rejlová, Markéta ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Komárková, Martina (referee)
Numerical competences include the number of abilities as representation of the quantity and transformations or operations with quantity. Many species of animals can use these abilities for example during searching for food, sexual partners and also for detection of number of competitors or predators. Numerical abilities such as counting or estimating quantity can increase the chance of survival and reproduction. In this work, I summarize some previous studies of numerical competences in primates and humans and I also mention experiments in other species. I divide the competences into chapters: estimating of the numbers (relative and absolute), counting, summation, conservation of quantity, proportion, ordinality and transitivity. The aim of this study was to study the ability of macaques (Macaca mulatta) to distinguish between the quantities of two sets. In the following part of experiment I observed the preference of monkeys for size or the number of stimuli. This preference was studied also in children. The results confirm the ability of relative numerousness judgment of monkeys. The results demonstrate that with increasing difference of quantity between the two sets the ability of distinguish between the two quantities also increase. Other experiment studied preference of larger number of...
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Object permanence as a method to study higher cognitive functions of primates
Englerová, Kateřina ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Sedláček, František (referee)
Object permanence is a cognitive ability, which allows individual to realize the existence of an object even it is not directly accessible to its senses. This ability is essential for successful using of complex cognitive operations. Object permanence is qualitatively and gradually change throughout the development of a child. Congruently, it is not developed to the same level in various species of animals. The aim of this study is to study object permanence in naive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), because there is still some uncertainty about the development of this ability in macaques. Our results show that the naive subjects do not have the highest stage of object permanence (and they do not use representative strategy to solve the tasks), however, other results of our team suggest that more experienced individuals are able to achieve the highest stage under certain circumstances. We show that experimental design used to test object permanence can be modified and used also for studying of other cognitive abilities. We test the preferences of macaque monkeys toward novel non-food stimuli. The reactions of different species of animals can vary. The reactions depend on the type of stimuli (food or non-food), but also on the ecology and ethology of the species. Age, sex and personality of the...
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Test of object permanence in primates
Gálik, Michal ; Nekovářová, Tereza (advisor) ; Špinka, Marek (referee)
5 ABSTRACT Object permanence is a cognitive ability to perceive the continuous existence of objects, even if they cannot be directly observed, respectively perceived by other senses (Piaget 1954). In humans object permanence develops in 6 qualitatively different stages. By using a comparative approach, it was found that the last stage 6 of this ability also occurs in great apes, gibbons and some New World monkeys (capuchin, marmoset and tamarin). In this study, we conducted a study with a series of invisible displacements of an object, in which we investigated whether two rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) have fully developed the ability of object permanence and don't rely on simple alternative cognitive strategies, while solving the different tasks. With one test subject, we confirmed that he solved the tasks with stage 6 object permanence abilities. Although the second individual reached significant performance in some sessions, the overall results are ambiguous, because during the testing he had a tendency to use simple alternative strategies. Our study concludes that under certain circumstances macaques have the cognitive capacity for a fully developed ability of object permanence. Key words: Object permanence, rhesus macaque, invisible displacement, cognitive functions
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