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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles
08:44

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Published on: January 3, 2017

Evidence for abstract spatial concept learning in young animals.

Orsola Rosa-Salva1, Rosa Rugani2, Arianna Felisatti2

  • 1CIMeC Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Italy.

Cognition
|June 30, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Day-old chicks demonstrate abstract spatial concept learning by discriminating visual configurations based on relative positions, not absolute distance or height. This finding provides evidence for early-emerging spatial understanding in young animals.

Keywords:
Abstract spatial relationsAnimal learningConcept formationSpatial cognitionVisual discriminationWeek-old domestic chicks

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive ethology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Comparative cognition

Background:

  • Abstract spatial relation encoding is crucial for navigation and object recognition.
  • Abstract categorization aids efficient environmental encoding in young animals.
  • Limited research exists on abstract category learning in human infants and young non-human animals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the emergence of abstract category learning in minimally experienced animals.
  • To explore the underlying mechanisms of abstract spatial concept learning in young domestic chicks (Gallus gallus).

Main Methods:

  • Domestic chicks were trained to discriminate between two vertically aligned cross-disk stimuli based on relative spatial positions.
  • Transfer learning was assessed using novel stimuli with altered spacing, absolute heights, and different object shapes/colors.
  • Generalization was tested with mismatched pairs to exclude reliance on absolute distance or height.

Main Results:

  • Chicks successfully transferred learning to novel stimuli with varying vertical spacing and absolute heights.
  • Learning generalized to new configurations of different shapes and colors, excluding disk-only stimuli.
  • Chicks discriminated based on spatial relations, not absolute distance or overall height.

Conclusions:

  • Domestic chicks exhibit abstract spatial concept learning from a very young age.
  • This demonstrates the capacity for abstract visual categorization in inexperienced animals.
  • Findings suggest that abstract spatial understanding can emerge early in development, independent of extensive experience.