Flashcards
April 2nd & 9th
Cards in this deck (24)
- 1Comparative CognitionThe study of information processing across a variety of species, including humans.
- 2Difference by degreeSimilar processes often emerge among very different species to meet similar challenges -- these processes tend to differ in degree not type (ex: complexity)
- 3Convergent evolutionThe independent emergence of common traits among different species to solve the same or a similar challenge. (Ex: flying among birds, bats and insects)
- 4Convergent Evolution & LearningSame world environment -> challenges requiring a cognitive solution may be shared among a wide range of species.
These traits may converge on the same solution or diverge into unique solutions - 5Tinbergen's Four QuestionsDivided into two categories
1. Ultimate cause
2. Proximate cause - 6Tinbergen's "Ultimate Cause"- How does the trait help the individual survive or reproduce?
- Is the trait found in closely related species or species in similar environments? - 7Tinbergen's "Proximate Cause"- What are the biological or environmental mechanisms that cause the trait to emerge?
- How does the trait develop across the lifespan of the individual? - 8AnthromomorphismThe misattribution of human qualities to animals. Avoided in the study of animal behavior.
- 9Delayed matching-to-sampleThe animal is first shown a sample stimuli, and then asked to select that stimuli out of a group of alternative stimuli.
- 10Directed forgettingA signal is used to indicate that the sample stimulus is to be forgotten and the trial will be re-started. (Ex: prof testing on what he said he wouldn't test you on)
*Recall is worse - 11Food-Storing Birds & Memory- Birds who store food in many places through out the winter vs. birds who don't
- Showed preference for spatial cues
- Spatial memory of storing birds outperformed that of the others
- Shows impact of environmental challenges in shaping memory capacity - 12The case of Clever Hans- Was thought to know how to count
- Really relied on facial cues to know when to stop tapping
- Shows researcher bias - 13Actual Animal Numerical Ability- Certain animal can memorize (matching-to-sample) numbers up to a very low amount
- Animals search for missing objects they remembered seeing for up to 3 items - 14Numbers on a Small ScaleMany animals display some capacity to learn and respond to numbers in some way, but this ability is limited to relatively small numbers. Language seems to be the key to grasping the concept of larger numbers.
- 15Transitive inferenceThe ability to deduce relations between stimuli
- 16Theory of MindThe tendency to impute mental states to other individuals. Involves self-awareness.
- 17Self AwarenessA knowledge of oneself as separate from others. Can be tested with the mark and mirror task -> mark placed on face & given a mirror to see if self recognition is there.
- 18False Belief TaskCan the subject recognize that they know something someone else does not? (Ex: Sally's Teddy bear)
- 19Capacity to Cooperate or DeceiveTheory of mind is needed for both
1. Knowledge of info others don't to share
2. Knowledge of info others don't to conceal - 20Trait HeritabilitySelective breeding among quickly reproducing species can provide evidence of the heritability of a trait.
- 21Behavioural & Cognitive EcologyThe study of the interaction between the environment and the cognitive or behavioral traits exhibited among different species.
- 22Changing CriteriaPsychological models and definitions are subject to modification as new information is discovered. Ex) definitions behaviors seen as uniquely human are modified when a non-human animal does it too
- 23Defining and DifferentiatingMost tasks can be solved by various means thus experiments must carefully be designed to test not just the ends but the means
- 24Challenges in Comparative Cognition1. Method of evaluation for a given task
2. Negative results