Current Search: McNab, Levie J. (x)
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Title
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Squirrel Monkeys, Discrimination Learning and Sequential Testing: The Redundancy, Relative Position and Complexity of Random Shapes.
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Creator
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McNab, Levie J., Michels, Kenneth M., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
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Abstract/Description
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This study was a partial replication of one previously reported by Nash and Michels (1966). The purpose was to investigate perceptual form discrimination behavior of young squirrel monkeys as affected by contextual variables of the stimulus. The variables examined were Redundancy, Position and, of the form itself, Complexity. In addition, a sequential method of testing and recording was compared with the conventional 50-trial block procedure. Two 17 month old monkeys were tested on eight...
Show moreThis study was a partial replication of one previously reported by Nash and Michels (1966). The purpose was to investigate perceptual form discrimination behavior of young squirrel monkeys as affected by contextual variables of the stimulus. The variables examined were Redundancy, Position and, of the form itself, Complexity. In addition, a sequential method of testing and recording was compared with the conventional 50-trial block procedure. Two 17 month old monkeys were tested on eight twochoice problems in a Purdue General Test Apparatus. The problems each consisted of two slides on which pairs of random shapes were presented. The shapes within each pair of slides were held constant on the parameters investigated. One slide was designated as the positive stimulus and presented in either the right or left position in random order. The number of correct responses for the 50-trial blocks, as examined by an analysis of variance, failed to reach statistical significance for any of the variables investigated. However, graphic inspection of the data suggests general agreement with the findings of Nash and Michels (1966). In comparing the two methods of testing, the sequential test of performance (STOP) was equally as effective as the conventional method and could have provided a substantial savings in test time. Comparison of scores obtained by the two procedures shows good correlation. Although no strong conclusions can be drawn from the data, they do lead to the speculation that there is a relationship between effect and extent of redundancy, and that failure of S to make a correct response in the test situation may be the result of cue sampling rather than a failure to discriminate.
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Date Issued
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1968
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00012593
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Subject Headings
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Form perception, Visual discrimination, Monkeys--Behavior
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Format
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Document (PDF)