ISSN 0439-755X
CN 11-1911/B

›› 1964, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (04): 88-98.

Previous Articles    

THE IDENTIFICATION OF SIMPLE “BINARY DIGITS” IN MONKEYS

LIU SHIH-YIH, YUAN CHWAN-CHAO, LIN TEH-LIANG   

  • Published:1964-12-25 Online:1964-12-25

Abstract: Twelve adolescent monkeys——3 Macacus Rhesus, 2 Macacus Nemistrinus, 3 Lyssodes Speciosus melli, 1 Macacus Irus, 1 Papio Hamadryas, 1 Mandrillus Sphinx and 1 Cebus Albifrons——were used to investigate the identification of recurrent regularity ("10" of binary digits, which is equivalent to "2" of decimal digits) of the environment. The monkeys were tested in a modified WGTA. The stimuli used were identical rectangles. The Ss were first trained on two-response "10" and then on extension of "10" series of 4, 6 and 8 responses. In all phases of testing the criterion of mastery was 80% correct responses in 2—3 successive trials. The principal findings were as follows:(1) Method of "extension" showed that the monkey could master the acquisition of the model of "10" of binary digits.(2) Slow original learning was the essential basis of fast identification of recurrent regularity of the environment.(3) During learning the Ss exhibited definite regularity of pattern of responses. Every new extension of "10" was easily mastered, but "1" signal of the new extension was always interfered with the previous "0" signal.(4) There was no exhibition of "spontaneous alternation" during "single-alternation" learning based primarily on visual discrimination responses in monkeys.

Key words: NULL