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Mixed-complexity artificial grammar learning in humans and macaque monkeys: evaluating learning strategies
Benjamin Wilson1, Kenny Smith, Christopher I Petkov
1Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Henry Wellcome Building, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK; Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|March 3, 2015
Summary
Humans and Rhesus macaques show similar sensitivity to adjacent rules in artificial grammars (AG). However, macaques, and many humans, struggle to detect non-adjacent AG relationships when multiple cues are present.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Comparative Psychology
- Linguistics
Background:
- Artificial grammars (AG) model rule-based sequences, useful for studying sequence processing in animals.
- Previous studies used simple AGs, but natural language and animal communication involve multiple complexities.
- Mixed-complexity AGs are needed to assess sensitivity to various features simultaneously.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cross-species sequence-processing abilities using a mixed-complexity auditory artificial grammar.
- To compare human and Rhesus macaque sensitivity to adjacent and non-adjacent relationships within the AG.
Main Methods:
- Humans and Rhesus macaques were exposed to sequences generated by a mixed-complexity auditory AG.
- Participants were tested on their ability to distinguish between AG-consistent and violated sequences.
- Sensitivity to adjacent (local) and non-adjacent (longer-distance) relationships was assessed.
Main Results:
- Both humans and macaques demonstrated comparable sensitivity to adjacent AG relationships and statistical properties.
- Macaques showed no significant sensitivity to the non-adjacent AG relationships.
- A subset of humans detected non-adjacent relationships, highlighting inter- and intra-species differences.
Conclusions:
- Humans and macaques share similar processing of adjacent AG rules and statistical patterns.
- Non-adjacent relationships are less salient in macaques and many humans when multiple grammatical cues are present.
- This suggests differing cognitive strategies in processing complex rule-based sequences across species.
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