Guppies in the puzzle box: innovative problem-solving by a teleost fish

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Mair ◽  
Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato ◽  
Angelo Bisazza
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 20150489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique A. R. Udell

Domestic dogs have been recognized for their social sensitivity and aptitude in human-guided tasks. For example, prior studies have demonstrated that dogs look to humans when confronted with an unsolvable task; an action often interpreted as soliciting necessary help. Conversely, wolves persist on such tasks. While dogs' ‘looking back’ behaviour has been used as an example of socio-cognitive advancement, an alternative explanation is that pet dogs show less persistence on independent tasks more generally. In this study, pet dogs, shelter dogs and wolves were given up to three opportunities to open a solvable puzzle box: when subjects were with a neutral human caretaker, alone and when encouraged by the human. Wolves were more persistent and more successful on this task than dogs, with 80% average success rate for wolves versus a 5% average success rate for dogs in both the human-in and alone conditions. Dogs showed increased contact with the puzzle box during the encouragement condition, but only a moderate increase in problem-solving success. Social sensitivity appears to play an important role in pet and shelter dogs' willingness to engage in problem-solving behaviour, which could suggest generalized dependence on, or deference to, human action.


2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato ◽  
Elia Gatto ◽  
Angelo Bisazza

Abstract In a number of species, males and females have different ecological roles and therefore might be required to solve different problems. Studies on humans have suggested that the 2 sexes often show different efficiencies in problem-solving tasks; similarly, evidence of sex differences has been found in 2 other mammalian species. Here, we assessed whether a teleost fish species, the guppy, Poecilia reticulata, displays sex differences in the ability to solve problems. In Experiment 1, guppies had to learn to dislodge a disc that occluded a feeder from which they had been previously accustomed to feed. In Experiment 2, guppies had to solve a version of the detour task that required them to learn to enter a transparent cylinder from the open sides to reach a food reward previously freely available. We found evidence of sex differences in both problem-solving tasks. In Experiment 1, females clearly outperformed males, and in Experiment 2, guppies showed a reversed but smaller sex difference. This study indicates that sex differences may play an important role in fish’s problem-solving similar to what has previously been observed in some mammalian species.


1991 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 327-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
GT Chiodo ◽  
WW Bullock ◽  
HR Creamer ◽  
DI Rosenstein
Keyword(s):  

1982 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-133
Author(s):  
A. D. Pellegrini

The paper explores the processes by which children use private speech to regulate their behaviors. The first part of the paper explores the ontological development of self-regulating private speech. The theories of Vygotsky and Luria are used to explain this development. The second part of the paper applies these theories to pedagogical settings. The process by which children are exposed to dialogue strategies that help them solve problems is outlined. The strategy has children posing and answering four questions: What is the problem? How will I solve it? Am I using the plan? How did it work? It is argued that this model helps children systematically mediate their problem solving processes.


1989 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 320-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Shapiro ◽  
Nelson Moses

This article presents a practical and collegial model of problem solving that is based upon the literature in supervision and cognitive learning theory. The model and the procedures it generates are applied directly to supervisory interactions in the public school environment. Specific principles of supervision and related recommendations for collaborative problem solving are discussed. Implications for public school supervision are addressed in terms of continued professional growth of both supervisees and supervisors, interdisciplinary team functioning, and renewal and retention of public school personnel.


1987 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil J. Connell

The teaching procedures that are commonly used with language-disordered children do not entirely match the goals that they are intended to achieve. By using a problem-solving approach to teaching language rules, the procedures and goals of language teaching become more harmonious. Such procedures allow a child to create a rule to solve a simple language problem created for the child by a clinician who understands the conditions that control the operation of a rule.


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