Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
06:14
A Method for Investigating Change Blindness in Pigeons (Columba Livia)
Published on: September 7, 2018
An investigation into the cognition behind spontaneous string pulling in New Caledonian crows
Alex H Taylor1, Felipe S Medina, Jennifer C Holzhaider
1Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. alexhtaylor@gmail.com
Plos One
|February 25, 2010
Summary
New Caledonian crows
Area of Science:
- Animal cognition and behavior
Background:
- The "insight" hypothesis suggests complex animal problem-solving stems from cognitive abilities like imagination.
- An operant conditioning account proposes spontaneity arises from reinforcement through successful actions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive mechanisms underlying spontaneous string-pulling behavior in New Caledonian crows.
- To differentiate between insight and operant conditioning explanations for this problem-solving ability.
Main Methods:
- A novel, visually restricted string-pulling task was designed to limit visual feedback.
- Experienced and naïve New Caledonian crows were tested on standard and modified tasks.
- A mirror was used to provide visual feedback in some trials for naïve crows.
Main Results:
- Experienced crows showed reduced efficiency and increased errors in the visually restricted task.
- Naïve crows struggled, either failing or learning through trial and error.
- Visual feedback via a mirror enabled naïve crows to perform comparably to experienced birds.
Conclusions:
- Spontaneous string pulling in New Caledonian crows may rely on operant conditioning via perceptual-motor feedback rather than insight.
- The study highlights the crucial role of visual feedback in shaping complex problem-solving behaviors.
Related Concept Videos
00:48Optimal Foraging
How animals obtain and eat their food is called foraging behavior. Foraging can include searching for plants and hunting for prey and depends on the species and environment.
01:27Correlation and Causation
Correlation and CausationStatistical tests can calculate whether there is a relationship, or correlation, between independent and dependent variables. A relationship between variables shows correlation, but it does not show cause-and-effect. A direct cause-and-effect relationship requires additional controlled experiments. If no consistent relationship exists between the variables, then there is no correlation.Correlation versus CausationIf the dependent variable increases or decreases when the...
01:15Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
02:30Naturalistic Observations
If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
01:23Cognition and Behavior
Social psychology examines the complex interplay between individual mental processes and social interactions. Historically, the field was divided into two domains: social behavior and social cognition. Researchers focusing on social behavior analyzed actions within social contexts, such as conformity, aggression, or cooperation. Meanwhile, social cognition researchers investigated how people perceive, interpret, and mentally represent their social environments. However, modern perspectives no...
01:17Cognitivism
Cognitive psychology emerged as a significant field in the mid-20th century. It focused on understanding humans' internal mental processes. This approach emphasizes how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems—elements critical to human cognition.
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...