Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of set size on identity and oddity abstract-concept learning in rats

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Animal Cognition Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Match (MTS) and non-match-to-sample (NMTS) procedures are used to assess concepts of identity and oddity across species and are measured by transfer performance to novel stimuli. The number of exemplars used in training (set size) has been shown to affect learning with evidence of larger set sizes promoting concept learning in several species. The present study explored the effects of set size and procedure on concept learning in rats using olfactory stimuli. Concept learning was assessed for 20 rats via transfer tests consisting of novel stimuli after rats were initially trained to either MTS or NMTS with two or ten stimuli as exemplars. No difference was found in acquisition or transfer between MTS and NMTS, but rats trained with ten stimuli performed better on novel transfer tests than rats trained with two. When set size was expanded for rats originally trained with two stimuli and rats were re-tested with ten novel stimuli, performance showed full transfer demonstrating that training with multiple exemplars facilitates concept learning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • April LB, Bruce K, Galizio M (2011) Matching- and nonmatching-to-sample concept learning in rats using olfactory stimuli. J Exp Anal Behav 96:139–154

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Berryman R, Cumming WW, Cohen LR, Johnson DF (1965) Acquisition and transfer of simultaneous oddity. Psychol Rep 17:767–775

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bodily KD, Katz JS, Wright AA (2008) Matching-to-sample abstract-concept learning by pigeons. J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process 34:178–184

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brino ALF, Galvão OF, Picanço CRF, Barros RS, Souza CBA, Goulart PRK, McIlvane WJ (2014) Generalized identity matching-to-sample after multiple-exemplar training in capuchin monkeys. Psychol Rec 64:693–702

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bruce K, Dyer K, Mathews M, Nealley C, Phasukkan T, Prichard A, Galizio M (2018) Successive odor matching-and non-matching-to-sample in rats: a reversal design. Behav Process 155:26–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter DE, Werner TJ (1978) Complex learning and information processing by pigeons: a critical analysis. J Exp Anal Behav 29:565–601

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • D’Amato MR, Salmon DP, Colombo M (1985) Extent and limits of the matching concept in monkeys. J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process 11:35–51

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Daniel TA, Wright AA, Katz JS (2015) Abstract-concept learning of difference in pigeons. Anim Cogn 18:831–837

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Galizio M, Bruce KE (2018) Abstraction, multiple exemplar training and the search for derived stimulus relations in animals. Perspect Behav Sci 41:45–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galizio M, Mathews M, Prichard A, Bruce KE (2018) Generalized identity in a successive matching-to-sample procedure in rats: effects of number of exemplars and a masking stimulus. J Exp Anal Behav 110:366–379

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg N (1957) Matching in pigeons. J Comp Physiol Psychol 50:261–263

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giurfa M, Zhang S, Jenett A (2001) The concepts of ‘sameness’ and ‘difference’ in an insect. Nat 410:930–933

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes SC, Barnes-Holmes D, Roche B (2001) Relational frame theory: a post-Skinnerian account of human language and cognition. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Herman LM, Hovancik JR, Gory JD, Bradshaw GL (1989) Generalization of visual matching by a bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): evidence for invariance of cognitive performance with visual and auditory materials. J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process 15:124–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson WJ, Pegram GV (1970) Acquisition, transfer, and retention of matching by rhesus monkeys. Psychol Rep 27:839–846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kastak D, Schusterman RJ (1994) Animal transfer of visual identity matching-to-sample in two California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Anim Learning Behav 22:427–435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz JS, Wright AA (2006) Same/different abstract-concept learning by pigeons. J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process 32:80–86

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz JS, Wright AA, Bachevalier J (2002) Mechanisms of same/different abstract-concept learning by rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process 28:358–368

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz JS, Wright AA, Bodily KD (2007) Issues in the comparative cognition of abstract-concept learning. Comp Cogn Behav Rev 2:79–92

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Katz JS, Bodily KD, Wright AA (2008) Learning strategies in matching to sample: if-then and configural learning by pigeons. Behav Process 77:223–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller FF, Schoenfeld WN (1950) Principles of psychology: a systematic text in the science of behavior. Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lazareva OF, Wasserman EA (2008) Categories and concepts in animals. In: Menzel R et al (eds) Learning and memory—a comprehensive reference, vol II. Behavioral approaches. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 197–226

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Magnotti JF, Katz JS, Wright AA, Kelly DM (2015) Superior abstract-concept learning by Clark’s nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana). Biol Lett 11:20150148

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • McIlvane WJ (2013) Simple and complex discrimination learning. In: Madden GJ et al (eds) APA handbook of behavior analysis Translating principles into practice. American Psychological Association, Washington, pp 129–163

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura T, Wright AA, Katz JS, Bodily KD, Sturz BR (2009) Abstract-concept learning carryover effects from the initial training set in pigeons (Columba livia). J Comp Psychol 123:79–89

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Oden DL, Thompson KR, Premack D (1988) Spontaneous transfer of matching by infant chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). J Exper Psychol 14:140–145

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peña T, Pitts RC, Galizio M (2006) Identity matching-to-sample with olfactory stimuli in rats. J Exp Anal Behav 85:203–221

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Prichard A, Panoz-Brown D, Bruce K, Galizio M (2015) Emergent identity but not symmetry following successive olfactory discrimination training in rats. J Exp Anal Behav 104:133–145

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Russell F, Burke D (2016) Conditional same/different concept learning in the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). J Exp Anal Behav 105:133–154

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scholtyssek C, Kelber A, Hanke FD, Dehnhardt G (2013) A harbor seal can transfer the same/different concept to new stimulus dimensions. Anim Cogn 16:915–925

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Truppa V, Garofoli D, Castorina G, Mortari EP, Natale F, Visalberghi E (2010) Identity concept learning in matching-to-sample tasks by tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Anim Cogn 13:835–848

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Truppa V, Carducci P, Trapanese C, Hanus D (2015) Does presentation format influence visual size discrimination in tufted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp)? PloS One 10:126001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Urcuioli PJ, Swisher M (2012) Emergent identity matching after successive matching training. II: reflexivity or transitivity? J Exp Anal Behav 97:5–27

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Vonk J (2003) Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and orangutan (Pongo abelii) understanding of first-and second-order relations. Anim Cogn 6:77–86

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson B, Mackintosh NJ, Boakes RA (1985a) Matching and oddity learning in the pigeon: transfer effects and the absence of relational learning. Q J Exper Psychol 37B:295–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson B, Mackintosh NJ, Boakes RA (1985b) Transfer of relational rules in matching and oddity learning in pigeons and corvids. Q J Exper Psychol 37B:313–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright AA, Delius JD (2005) Learning processes in matching and oddity: the oddity preference effect and sample reinforcement. J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process 31:425–432

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wright AA, Cook RG, Rivera JJ, Sands SF, Delius JD (1988) Concept learning by pigeons: matching to sample with trial-unique video picture stimuli. Anim Learn Behav 16:436–444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright AA, Rivera JJ, Katz JS, Bachevalier J (2003) Abstract-concept learning and list-memory processing by capuchin and rhesus monkeys. J Exp Psychol Anim Behav Process 29:184–198

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wright AA, Magnotti JF, Katz JS, Leonard K, Kelly DM (2016) Concept learning set-size functions for Clark’s nutcrackers. J Exp Anal Behav 105:76–84

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zentall T, Hogan D (1974) Abstract concept learning in the pigeon. J Exp Psychol 102:393–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Rachel Eure, Mallory Gleason, and Alex McLean for assistance with data collection. This experiment was part of Lucia Lazarowski’s master’s thesis at UNC Wilmington.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Rd., Wilmington, NC, 28403, USA

    Lucia Lazarowski, Adam Goodman, Mark Galizio & Katherine Bruce

  2. Canine Performance Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, USA

    Lucia Lazarowski

  3. Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Adam Goodman

Authors
  1. Lucia Lazarowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Adam Goodman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mark Galizio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Katherine Bruce
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katherine Bruce.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

This research complied with the current laws of the United States of America and was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (XLSX 12 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lazarowski, L., Goodman, A., Galizio, M. et al. Effects of set size on identity and oddity abstract-concept learning in rats. Anim Cogn 22, 733–742 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-019-01270-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-019-01270-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation