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Captive, common squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) select five visual arbitrary symbols in accordance with food preferences

conference contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 18:56 authored by Sonny Stollenmaier, David LeavensDavid Leavens
We tested three squirrel monkeys [ages 2.56 years, SD=1.0], on their ability to associate visual, arbitrary symbols with foods. These subjects live together in large, planted enclosures and were free to enter and leave the laboratory at will; therefore, trial participation was voluntary. In a food-preference test, five foods were presented in pairs. Food pairings were position-controlled and counterbalanced, totalling ten binary choices each was presented ten times in a pseudo-randomized order (totalling 100 trials). In a symbol condition, small plastic lids were marked with one of five arbitrary symbols, each representing one of the five foods, hiding the corresponding food underneath. Following a conditioning phase, the symbol-lids were presented pseudo-randomly in pairs, like the trials in the food preference condition. The subjects could lift one lid and retrieve the food. Two sets of 100 trials were completed. All Pearson's correlation analyses showed that the three variables (food-preferences and two test sets of symbolpreferences)were strongly correlated for each subject, r(3)>0.90, P<0.05; except for Squizzle's first food/symbol comparison, r(3)=0.83, P>0.05. This research shows that Saimiri, living in an enriched environment, whose general diet is not reduced or specifically managed, can learn multiple arbitrary symbol food-symbols quickly, with relatively low-level exposures to the symbol/referent relationships, and select these in accordance with actual food preferences.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Publisher

American Journal of Primatology

Issue

Supple

Volume

73

Page range

76

Event name

34th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists

Event location

Austin, Texas

Event type

conference

Event date

16-19th September, 2011

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Notes

Abstract Published in American Journal of Primatology: Volume 73, Issue S1

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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