Absolute Versus Relational Discrimination of Intermediate Size in the Rhesus Monkey.

摘要

Nine rhesus monkeys were successively trained and tested on two intermediate-size transposition problems. In problem I responses based on 'relative' stimulus properties were opposed to chance behavior determined by 'absolute' stimulus properties, and the subjects indicated significant learning of stimulus relationships. Problem II was designed in such a way that different nonchance behaviors should result from response to 'absolute' and 'relational' stimulus properties, and the subjects consistently reverted to choices based on 'absolute' stimulus properties. It is concluded that rhesus monkeys learn both 'absolute' and 'relational' cues during training in a single stimulus-situation and that there is a strong tendency to respond to 'absolute' stimulus values whenever feasible. (Author)