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Orangutan performance on a light-dark reversal discrimination in the zoo

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Abstract

A breeding orangutan pair was given free access to a simultaneous light-dark discrimination problem. Contingencies were reversed after 20 consecutive correct responses. Surprisingly systematic results were obtained without typical laboratory isolation. There was a dramatic increase in responses to criterion beginning with the first reversal. This increase was evident for the first ten reversals. In keeping with laboratory results, a marked shift toward decreasing numbers of responses required for reversals was followed by relative stability. Orangutans demonstrate excellent capability on this relatively simple task, yet do not achieve consistent “perfect” reversal behavior. Thelevel of responding is influenced but not the overall shape of the learning curve, suggesting that the stable performance level is a function of environmental complexity as well as species capability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, 97201, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.

    Rickie R. Davis

  2. Oregon Zoological Research Center, 97221, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.

    Hal Markowitz

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  1. Rickie R. Davis
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  2. Hal Markowitz
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Davis, R.R., Markowitz, H. Orangutan performance on a light-dark reversal discrimination in the zoo. Primates 19, 755–759 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373641

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373641

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