Sameness May Be a Natural Concept That Does Not Require Learning

Psychological Science
Thomas R ZentallJacob P Case

Abstract

It has been assumed that when pigeons learn how to match to sample, they learn simple stimulus-response chains but not the concept of sameness. However, transfer to novel stimuli has been influenced by pigeons' tendency to be neophobic. We trained pigeons on matching ( n = 7) and mismatching ( n = 8) with colors as samples and, with each sample, one color as the nonmatching comparison. We then replaced either the matching or the nonmatching stimulus with a familiar stimulus never presented with that sample. Results suggest that for both matching and mismatching, pigeons locate the stimulus that matches the sample: If the task involves matching, they chose it; if it involves mismatching, they avoid it. Thus, the concept of sameness is the basis for correct choice with both tasks. This finding suggests that sameness is a basic concept that does not have to be learned and may have evolved in many species, including humans.

References

Jul 1, 1961·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·W W CUMMING, R BERRYMAN
Jul 1, 1950·Psychological Review·B F SKINNER
Dec 9, 2004·The American Psychologist·Edward A WassermanRobert G Cook
Jan 27, 2006·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Animal Behavior Processes·Jeffrey S Katz, Anthony A Wright
Jan 30, 1976·Science·T R Zentall, D E Hogan
Mar 13, 2016·Cognitive Psychology·Jean-Rémy HochmannSusan Carey

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Citations

Feb 3, 2021·Cognition·Jean-Rémy Hochmann, Juan M Toro
Feb 9, 2021·Frontiers in Psychology·Thomas R Zentall
Mar 18, 2021·Learning & Behavior·Alexandra NosarzewskaThomas R Zentall
Dec 18, 2021·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Ellen M O'DonoghueEdward A Wasserman

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