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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Exclusion performance in visual simple discrimination in dogs (Canis familiaris)

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Author(s):
Isabela Zaine [1] ; Camila Domeniconi [2] ; Aline R. A. Costa [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia sobre Comportamento, Cognição e Ensino - Brasil
[2] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia sobre Comportamento, Cognição e Ensino - Brasil
[3] Universidade de São Paulo - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Psychology & Neuroscience; v. 7, n. 2, p. 199-206, 2014-06-00.
Abstract

Choices based on exclusion have been investigated in different species because of its emergent nature, leading to evidence of rudimentary symbolic behavior in non-verbal organisms. Simple discrimination procedures provide a simple method to investigate exclusion performance, in which each trial consists of the simultaneous presentation of two stimuli, one with a positive function (S+) and one with a negative function (S-). In exclusion probe trials, an undefined stimulus (UnS) is presented with a familiar S-, and choices based on exclusion may lead to choosing the UnS, excluding the previously known S-. Novelty control trials (S+/UnS) are also conducted to assess the possible preference for the UnS. In this case, if performance is not controlled by novelty, then the subjects must choose the S+ and not the UnS. The present study investigated exclusion performance in visual simple simultaneous discrimination tasks in eight dogs. The results indicated that seven of eight dogs showed evidence of exclusion performance (p < .05). These findings corroborate the literature that shows that dogs are capable of responding by exclusion, suggesting that potentially symbolic behavior may rely on basic behavioral learning and conditioning principles. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 08/57705-8 - Institute for the Study of Behavior, Cognition and Teaching
Grantee:Deisy das Graças de Souza
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 11/06288-0 - Sensitivity to human social cues and emergent behaviors in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris)
Grantee:Isabela Zaine
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate