Single-trial learning of "what" and "who" information in a gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla): implications for episodic memory

Bennett L Schwartz; Melanie R Colon; Isabel C Sanchez; Isabel Alexa Rodriguez; Siân Evans

doi:10.1007/s10071-002-0132-0

Single-trial learning of "what" and "who" information in a gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla): implications for episodic memory

Anim Cogn. 2002 Jun;5(2):85-90. doi: 10.1007/s10071-002-0132-0.

Authors

Bennett L Schwartz¹, Melanie R Colon, Isabel C Sanchez, Isabel Alexa Rodriguez, Siân Evans

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychology, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199, USA. schwartb@fiu.edu

PMID: 12150040
DOI: 10.1007/s10071-002-0132-0

Abstract

Single-trial learning and long-term memory of "what" and "who" information were examined in an adult gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). We presented the gorilla with a to-be-remembered food item at the time of study. In Experiment 1, following a retention interval of either approximately 7 min or 24 h, the gorilla responded with one of five cards, each corresponding to a particular food. The gorilla was accurate on 70% of the short retention-interval trials and on 82% of the long retention-interval trials. In Experiment 2, the food stimulus was provided by one of two experimenters, each of whom was represented by a card. The gorilla identified the food (55% of the time) and the experimenter (82% of the time) on the short retention-interval trials. On the long retention-interval trials, the gorilla was accurate for the food (73%) and for the person (87%). The results are interpreted in light of theories of episodic memory.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Cognition
Gorilla gorilla / psychology*
Learning*
Male
Memory*
Perception
Reinforcement Schedule