Visual matching by a language-naive dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) - Shaw, M.
University of Hawaii, Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Lboratory, 1129 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI, USA, 96814 -
- (C) 1990 University of Hawaii
In a previous study, Herman et al. (1989) presented the first successful report of visual matching in a dolphin, using a limited amount of acoustic cuing early in training. The subject had been extensively trained in an artificial acoustic language. Using procedures similar to those found successful by Herman et al., we trained a language-naïve dolphin in a 3-D and 2-D visual matching without the use of acoustic cues in the current study. After a total of 117 trials, 67 uncued, the subject’s matching of 3-D objects was significantly above chance. After a total of 24 trials using eight 3-D stimuli, transfer was demonstrated both in partial transfer tests pairing novel and familiar object with each other. Performance on an interdimensional transfer test from 3-D to 2-D materials was significantly above chance initially, but a subsequent drop in performance made claims of interdimensional transfer disputable. Additionally, the subject maintained a representation of 3-D sample stimuli in memory at performance levels of 80% or better over delays of up to 40 sec, and 2-D sample stimuli at performance levels of 70% or better over delays of up to 25 sec. These results compared moderately well with previous reports of acoustic and visual matching in dolphins and visual matching in primates.
Shaw, M. (1990). Visual matching by a language-naive dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Unpublished master's theses. University of Hawaii, Honolulu. Back to Top Dolphin Programs | Whale Programs | Education Programs | Our Research | Resource Guide Copyright © 2002, The Dolphin Institute |
