Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings
Published on: August 1, 2018
Testing for localized stimulus enhancement and object movement reenactment in pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina)
Marco M Rigamonti1, Deborah M Custance, Emanuela Prato Previde
1Centro Di Primatologia HSRIBFM CNR, Università Milano Bicocca, Istituto H. Sraffaele, Italy. marco.rigamonti@hsr.it
Abstract:
Four puzzle boxes were used to investigate localized stimulus enhancement and object movement reenactment (OMR) in 13 pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) and 30 human infants (Homo sapiens). Participants received contrasting demonstrations on each box. A circular lid was gripped by its rim or handle and swiveled to the left or right. A flap door was pushed or flipped. A sliding lid was pushed to the left or right. A pin bolt was demonstrated being pushed down, or the participants were left to solve the puzzle for themselves. Despite the fact that the monkeys watched the demonstrations about 60% of the time, only a weak OMR effect was found on the sliding lid. In contrast, the children watched significantly more, and there was clear evidence of socially mediated learning on all of the boxes.
