The current study investigated concept formation in domestic dogs, specifically that of a toy concept. The dog's differential responding (retrieval vs. non-retrieval) to two sets of stimuli suggested a toy concept. Differential responding occurred from the very first trial, indicating that the concept had been formed in the natural environment, not during the experiment. It was hypothesized that a common response may be responsible for the emergence of the class in the natural environment. The results demonstrated that it was possible to expand the class by adding previously non-retrieved objects to the toy class through a common response. It was also shown that the toy concept passed the more stringent criterion (transfer of function test) required validating it as a concept.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc12123 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Feuerbacher, Erica Nan |
| Contributors | Rosales-Ruiz, Jesus, Ellis, Janet, Glenn, Sigrid S., 1939- |
| Publisher | University of North Texas |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | Text |
| Rights | Public, Copyright, Feuerbacher, Erica Nan, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. |
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