1. Animal Intelligence Plamena Batchkarova

2. Today's presentation  Important experiments - Washoe - Alex

3. The Washoe project Gardner, R.A. & B.T.- 1966 Two approaches to animals  Consider the nature of cognition  Teach them human language ASL vs vocal language Choice of chimpanzees as subjects  Intelligent and sociable  Communicate with gestures, but…  Use sounds in different contexts, totally unable to vocalize human language

4. Techniques used Minimal caging Minimal caging  Friendly approach  Researcher not allowed to talk Imitation game to refine new signs Imitation game to refine new signs  Delayed imitation- bathed her doll, brushed her own teeth

5. Achievements Thirty signs in two years, totally over 200 Imitate on command (“Do this!”)‏ Transfer signs to new member of a class  “more”- tickling to games to food  “open”- 1 door to all doors to water faucets (!)‏  “flower” for odours Used combinations of signs  “open key”  “go sweet” Loulis

6. ALEX Avian Learning Experiment Pepperberg, I. M.- 1977 Pepperberg, I. M.- 1977 Label and vocalize over 100 objects Label and vocalize over 100 objects Answer questions about abstract categories Answer questions about abstract categories  Colour, shape, matter, size, quantity  Even on novel objects

7. Video http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R6KvPN_Wt8I