Animal intelligence: Experimental studiesThorndike, Edward L. (Edward Lee)
Science
Animal intelligence: Experimental studies
Thorndike, Edward L. (Edward Lee)
Animal intelligence; Psychology, Comparative
Furthermore, although the associations formed are such as could not
have been previously experienced or provided for by heredity, they are
still not too remote from the animal’s ordinary course of life. They
mean simply the connection of a certain act with a certain situation
and resultant pleasure, and this general type of association is found
throughout the animal’s life normally. The muscular movements required
are all such as might often be required of the animal. And yet it will
be noted that the acts required are nearly enough like the acts of the
anecdotes to enable one to compare the results of experiment by this
method with the work of the anecdote school. Finally, it may be noticed
that the method lends itself readily to experiments on imitation.
We may now start in with the description of the apparatus and of the
behavior of the animals.[7]
DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS
[Illustration: FIG. 1.]
The shape and general apparatus of the boxes which were used for the cats
is shown by the accompanying drawing of box K. Unless special figures
are given, it should be understood that each box is approximately 20
inches long, by 15 broad, by 12 high. Except where mention is made to
the contrary, the door was pulled open by a weight attached to a string
which ran over a pulley and was fastened to the door, just as soon as
the animal loosened the bolt or bar which held it. Especial care was
taken not to have the widest openings between the bars at all near the
lever, or wire loop, or what not, which governed the bolt on the door.
For the animal instinctively attacks the large openings first, and if
the mechanism which governs the opening of the door is situated near one
of them, the animal’s task is rendered easier. You do not then get the
association-process so free from the helping hand of instinct as you do
if you make the box without reference to the position of the mechanism to
be set up within it. These various mechanisms are so simple that a verbal
description will suffice in most cases. The facts which the reader should
note are the nature of the movement which the cat had to make, the nature
of the object at which the movement was directed, and the position of the
object in the box. In some special cases attention will also be called
to the force required. In general, however, that was very slight (20 to
100 grams if applied directly). The various boxes will be designated by
capital letters.
A. A string attached to the bolt which held the door ran up over a pulley
on the front edge of the box, and was tied to a wire loop (2½ inches
in diameter) hanging 6 inches above the floor in front center of box.
Clawing or biting it, or rubbing against it even, if in a certain way,
opened the door. We may call this box A ‘_O at front_.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account