Spatial memory and monitoring of hidden items through spatial displacements by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2005 |
Authors: |
M.J. Beran, M.M. Beran, C.R. Menzel |
Publication/Journal: |
Journal of Comparative Psychology |
Keywords: |
exploratory behavior, memory, pan troglodytes, random allocation, space perception, visual perception |
ISBN: |
0735-7036 |
Abstract:
This study examined chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) short-term memory for food location in near space. In Experiments 1 and 2, either 1 or 2 items (chocolate pieces) were hidden in an array of 3 or 5 containers that either remained stationary or were rotated 180° or 360°. When the array remained stationary, the chimpanzees remembered both item locations. When arrays were rotated, however, chimpanzees found only 1 item. In Experiment 3, 2 items were hidden in an array of 7 cups. Both items were found at levels significantly better than chance. Ninety percent of errors were made after the 1st item was found, and errors reflected memory failure rather than a failure of inhibitory control.