The use of perceptual features in categorization by orangutans (Pongo abelli)

Animal Cognition
Heidi L Marsh, Suzanne E MacDonald

Abstract

The extent to which categorization of natural classes in animals reflects a generalization based on perceptual similarity versus an abstract conceptual representation remains unclear. Here, two experiments were conducted to identify the perceptual features used by orangutans when categorizing pictures. In Experiment 1, subjects were trained and tested for transfer on a concrete discrimination (gorillas or orangutans vs. other primates). Analysis of performance on both positive and negative exemplars revealed that performance was best on photos with faces, particularly close-ups. Moreover, error trials did not seem to reflect instances of mistaken identity, but rather, exemplars that may have been distracting for other reasons, such as novel coloration or morphology. In Experiment 2, photos were modified to test the effects of various features. Color modifications caused the biggest decrease in performance, and eye modifications also affected performance deleteriously. Therefore, two perceptual features, namely eye regions and color, played a key role in subjects' ability to categorize. However, performance based on an underlying concept cannot be ruled out, because both of these features are highly relevant in terms of defining...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 7, 2010·Animal Cognition·Marjorie CoulonBertrand L Deputte
Nov 30, 2015·Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior·Rachel F L DiamondRobert R Hampton
Feb 9, 2010·Behavioural Processes·Cécile Ginane, Bertrand Dumont
Oct 10, 2015·Behavioural Processes·Jana BeránkováRoman Fuchs
Oct 3, 2009·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Alexandra Catherine Victoria BaloghOlof Leimar
Mar 13, 2015·Frontiers in Psychology·Greg Jensen, Drew Altschul
Jan 25, 2018·Primates; Journal of Primatology·Duncan A Wilson, Masaki Tomonaga
Nov 28, 2018·Zoo Biology·Crystal L Egelkamp, Stephen R Ross

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