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Lana Chimpanzee Learns to Count by “Numath”: A Summary of a Videotaped Experimental Report

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Abstract

This paper summarizes a videotaped presentation (Rumbaugh, Savage-Rumbaugh, Hopkins, Washburn, & Runfeldt, 1987) of computerized training programs whereby an adult female chimpanzee, Lana (Pan troglodytes), learned to use a joystick to remove from a screen the number of boxes appropriate to the value of a randomly selected Arabic numeral 1, 2, or 3. Initial training provided a variety of cues, both numeric and otherwise, to support correct performance. Across software programs, all cues other than numeric ones were deleted. In the final test, Lana was correct on over 80% of trials in which there was no residual feedback of intratrial events and where only her memory of those events could provide the cue to indicate that she had removed boxes in accordance with the value of the target numbers and should terminate the trial. The tape is narrated and consists of video recordings of Lana’s performance on each software program.

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References

  • DAVIS, H., & PÉRUSSE, R. (1988). Numerical competence in animals: Definitional issues, current evidence, and a new research agenda. Brain and Behavioral Sciences, 11, 561–579

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  • RUMBAUGH, D. M., SAVAGE-RUMBAUGH, E. S., HOPKINS, W. D., WASHBURN, D. A., & RUNFELDT, S. A. (1987, August). Lana chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) counts by Numath. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, New York, NY.

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  • RUMBAUGH, D. M., SAVAGE-RUMBAUGH, E. S., HOPKINS, W. D., WASHBURN, D. A., & RUNFELDT, S. A. (1989). Lana chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) counts by Numath. A videotape (15 minutes) with narration distributed by Psychological Cinema Register, Audio-Visual Services, Special Services Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.

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Animal research frequently produces data that can not be reduced satisfactorily to numbers and words on printed pages. Videodecks are widely available and might be better used to avail to the scientist, teacher, and student video supplements that enhance communication of scientific findings and, also, teaching. To that end, the authors of this manuscript with its companion videotape recommend it as the Manuscript + Video-Format (Mvf) for release of findings where words alone do not suffice. The distributor of the tape in the present Mvf, Psychological Cinema Register, will reference this published paper in their announcement that the tape is available-thus providing linkage between the two units of this Mvf for archival purposes.

This research was supported by grants Nichd-06016 and Arb-00165 from the National Institutes of Health to the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center and NAG2 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to Georgia State University. The research was conducted in accordance with guidelines for the humane treatment of animals. We thank Rachelle Pérusse for her comments on this paper.

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Rumbaugh, D.M., Hopkins, W.D., Washburn, D.A. et al. Lana Chimpanzee Learns to Count by “Numath”: A Summary of a Videotaped Experimental Report. Psychol Rec 39, 459–470 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395074

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395074

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