Abstract
Capuchin monkeys were trained on a series of learning-set problems which required discrimination between stimulus arrays having ABA and BBA configurations. Transposition was later tested by presenting training configurations with CCC or ABC configurations. Considerable negative transposition and a small amount of positive transposition occurred, a result suggesting that the original learning set was based at least partly on perceived differences in the homogeneity of the ABA and BBA configurations. Fast-learning subjects manifested more persistent random responding and less position responding than did slow-learning subjects. This difference suggests that random responding during the initial stages of learning may be used as an index of attention.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
French, G. M. Associative problems. In A. M. Schrier, H. F. Harlow, & E. Stollnitz (Eds.),Behavior of nonhuman primates (Vol. 1). New York: Academic Press, 1965.
Gonzalez, R. C., &Ross, S. The basis of solution by preverbal children of the intermediate-size problem.American Journal of Psychology, 1958,71, 742–746.
Harlow, H. F. Learning set and error factor theory. In S. Koch (Ed.),Psychology: A study of a science (Vol. 2). New York: McGraw-Hill, 1959.
Johnson, R. C., &Zara, R. C. Relational learning in young children.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1960,53, 594–597.
King, J. E. Learning and generalization of a two-dimensional sameness-difference concept by chimpanzees and orangutans.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1973,84, 140–148.
King, J. E., &Fobes, J. L. Hypothesis analysis of sameness-difference learning-set by capuchin monkeys.Learning and Motivation, 1975,6, 101–113.
Levine, M. Hypothesis behavior. In A. M. Schrier, H. F. Harlow, & E. Stollnitz (Eds.),Behavior of nonhuman primates (Vol. 1). New York: Academic Press, 1965.
Meyer, D. R., &Harlow, H. F. The development of transfer of response to patterning by monkeys.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1949,42, 454–462.
Miles, R. C. Discrimination-learning sets. In A. M. Schrier, H. F. Harlow, & E. Stollnitz (Eds.),Behavior of nonhuman primates (Vol. 1). New York: Academic Press, 1965.
Reese, H. W. The perception of stimulus relations. New York: Academic Press, 1968.
Sherman, M., &Strunk, J. Transposition as a function of single versus double discrimination training.Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1964,58, 449–450.
Smith, H. J., King, J. E., &Newberry, P. Facilitation of discrimination learning-set in squirrel monkeys by colored food stimuli.Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 1976, 7, 5–8.
Spence, K. W. The basis of solution by chimpanzees of the intermediate size problem.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1942,31, 257–271.
Warren, J. M., &McGonigle, B. Attention theory and discrimination learning. In R. M. Gilbert & N. S. Sutherland (Eds.),Animal discrimination learning. New York: Academic Press, 1969.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was partially supported by Training Grant MH-11286 from the United States Public Health Service.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Scanlon, J.L., King, J.E. Learning and transposition of an extended sameness-difference concept by slow and fast learning capuchin monkeys. Animal Learning & Behavior 4, 308–312 (1976). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03214055
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03214055