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Validity of Cognitive Tests for Non-human Animals: Pitfalls and Prospects
Michèle N Schubiger1,2, Claudia Fichtel3,4, Judith M Burkart1
1Evolutionary Cognition Group, Department of Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Frontiers in Psychology
|September 28, 2020
Summary
Comparative psychology research relies on valid cognitive tests for animals. Controlling for attention and refining test design ensures accurate measurement of animal cognition and evolution.
Area of Science:
- Comparative psychology
- Animal cognition
- Evolutionary psychology
Background:
- Comparative psychology uses cognitive tests to infer animal minds and evolutionary paths.
- Task validity is crucial for accurate species comparisons in cognition.
- Primate cognitive tasks often lack rigorous measurement validity evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on non-cognitive factors affecting animal cognitive task performance.
- To assess if cognitive tests accurately measure individual cognitive abilities.
- To identify necessary improvements for valid cross-species cognitive comparisons.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies examining non-cognitive influences on primate cognitive tasks.
- Analysis of how emotional and motivational factors impact performance.
- Evaluation of test design effects on cognitive outcomes.
Main Results:
- Emotional and motivational factors significantly influence performance through attention.
- Systematic control of attention is essential for valid and reliable cognitive results.
- Test design elements can substantially affect cognitive performance in animals.
Conclusions:
- Non-cognitive factors are manageable sources of error when controlled.
- Primate cognition tasks require validation and potential redesign for accurate measurement.
- Improved task validity will strengthen cognitive comparisons across species.
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