Functional class formation in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): an approach to the acquisition of pre-symbolic behavior

The present study investigated the possibility of teaching two domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) to respond adequately to two classes of three stimuli (wooden boxes with pieces of food when having S+ function) through a procedure of successive shifts of simple discrimination. Sessions were carried ou...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: de Souza Dahás, Liane Jorge, da Silva Brasiliense, Izabel Cristina, da Silva Barros, Romariz, Dias Costa, Thiago, Barbosa Alves de Souza, Carlos
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2011
País:México
Institución:UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTÓNOMA DE MÉXICO
Repositorio:Acta Comportamentalia
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/24309
Acceso en línea:https://www.revistas.unam.mx/index.php/acom/article/view/24309
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Animal cognition
functional classes
successive shifts of simple discrimination
domestic dogs
Cognição animal
classes funcionais
mudanças sucessivas de discriminação simples
cães domésticos
Descripción
Sumario:The present study investigated the possibility of teaching two domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) to respond adequately to two classes of three stimuli (wooden boxes with pieces of food when having S+ function) through a procedure of successive shifts of simple discrimination. Sessions were carried out in a room where two, four, or six wooden boxes were placed side by side. Initially, the subjects responded to two stimuli (a positive [S+] and another negative [S-]) for session. Next, four of the six boxes were presented, two functioning as S+ and other two functioning as S-. In the following phase, successive shifts of simple discrimination were carried out with the four boxes. After that, the training with all six boxes was initiated. Seven tests were carried out. Each test consisted of (1) a discrimination shift with four boxes, with the two remaining boxes kept out; (2) then the two remaining boxes were re-inserted in the experimental room. One of the subjects adequately responded to three of these seven tests and the other to four of them. It is discussed the effect of the emphasis in the visual modality of discrimination and the use of fixed positions of the boxes on the performance of the subjects.