Problem-solving males become more attractive to female budgerigars

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 363 (6423) ◽  
pp. 166-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiani Chen ◽  
Yuqi Zou ◽  
Yue-Hua Sun ◽  
Carel ten Cate
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Extractive Foraging ◽  
Male Attractiveness ◽  
Access To Food ◽  
Open Question

Darwin proposed that mate choice might contribute to the evolution of cognitive abilities. An open question is whether observing the cognitive skills of an individual makes it more attractive as a mate. In this study, we demonstrated that initially less-preferred budgerigar males became preferred after females observed that these males, but not the initially preferred ones, were able to solve extractive foraging problems. This preference shift did not occur in control experiments in which females observed males with free access to food or in which females observed female demonstrators solving these extractive foraging problems. Our results suggest that direct observation of problem-solving skills increases male attractiveness and that this could contribute to the evolution of the cognitive abilities underlying such skills.

scholarly journals Can You Teach an Old Parrot New Tricks? Individual Variation in the Problem-Solving Abilities of Wild Kaka (Nestor Meridionalis)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Julia Loepelt
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Innovative Solution ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Multi Access

<p>Identifying factors that may influence cognitive variation in the wild is essential for furthering our understanding of how ecological and evolutionary mechanisms shape cognitive phenotypes. Yet, studies on cognitive variation in the wild and its causes and consequences are still rare. In both the wild and captivity, birds have become a centre of attention, revealing striking cognitive abilities that may rival the great apes. While much of this research has focused on corvids, few parrot species have been studied thoroughly. One of these species is the kea (Nestor notabilis), which has shown remarkable social and physical cognitive skills, including the use of tools. This thesis explores the innovative problem-solving skills of the only other Nestor species, the kaka (Nestor meridionalis), with the overall aim to investigate ecological, developmental and genetic factors influencing within-species variation of these abilities in the wild.  When confronted with a series of novel problems at a familiar feeding station, juvenile kaka outperform adult kaka, especially in their ability and efficiency to find an innovative solution to acquiring the food reward. This is particularly the case when modification of a pre-learned behavioural response is required and is further expressed in the juveniles’ higher individual persistence and exploration diversity, which suggests they may be more behaviourally flexible. Testing for this hypothesis using a Multi-Access-Box approach confirmed faster, more flexible discovery of alternative solving strategies in younger birds.  Further analysis of the kaka’s innovation abilities uncovered potential genetic effects on solving ability as shown by full sibling comparison. This provides first potential evidence for heritability of a cognitive trait in the wild and thus presents an important step for furthering our understanding of how natural selection may act on cognitive traits. Between-species comparison of kaka and kea in the physical and social cognitive domains reveals striking similarities. This suggests that the differences in the life histories of these two species play a secondary role in the evolution of Nestor parrot cognitive abilities, which may instead be retained from their common ancestor.</p>

scholarly journals Can You Teach an Old Parrot New Tricks? Individual Variation in the Problem-Solving Abilities of Wild Kaka (Nestor Meridionalis)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Julia Loepelt
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Innovative Solution ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Multi Access

<p>Identifying factors that may influence cognitive variation in the wild is essential for furthering our understanding of how ecological and evolutionary mechanisms shape cognitive phenotypes. Yet, studies on cognitive variation in the wild and its causes and consequences are still rare. In both the wild and captivity, birds have become a centre of attention, revealing striking cognitive abilities that may rival the great apes. While much of this research has focused on corvids, few parrot species have been studied thoroughly. One of these species is the kea (Nestor notabilis), which has shown remarkable social and physical cognitive skills, including the use of tools. This thesis explores the innovative problem-solving skills of the only other Nestor species, the kaka (Nestor meridionalis), with the overall aim to investigate ecological, developmental and genetic factors influencing within-species variation of these abilities in the wild.  When confronted with a series of novel problems at a familiar feeding station, juvenile kaka outperform adult kaka, especially in their ability and efficiency to find an innovative solution to acquiring the food reward. This is particularly the case when modification of a pre-learned behavioural response is required and is further expressed in the juveniles’ higher individual persistence and exploration diversity, which suggests they may be more behaviourally flexible. Testing for this hypothesis using a Multi-Access-Box approach confirmed faster, more flexible discovery of alternative solving strategies in younger birds.  Further analysis of the kaka’s innovation abilities uncovered potential genetic effects on solving ability as shown by full sibling comparison. This provides first potential evidence for heritability of a cognitive trait in the wild and thus presents an important step for furthering our understanding of how natural selection may act on cognitive traits. Between-species comparison of kaka and kea in the physical and social cognitive domains reveals striking similarities. This suggests that the differences in the life histories of these two species play a secondary role in the evolution of Nestor parrot cognitive abilities, which may instead be retained from their common ancestor.</p>

scholarly journals Mate Choice, Sex Roles and Sexual Cognition in Vertebrates: Mate Choice Turns Cognition or Cognition Turns Mate Choice?

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodora Fuss
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Sex Roles ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Antipredator Behavior ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Problem Solver

The idea of “smart is sexy,” meaning superior cognition provides competitive benefits in mate choice and, therefore, evolutionary advantages in terms of reproductive fitness, is both exciting and captivating. Cognitively flexible individuals perceive and adapt more dynamically to (unpredictable) environmental changes. The sex roles that females and males adopt within their populations can vary greatly in response to the prevalent mating system. Based on how cognition determines these grossly divergent sex roles, different selection pressures could possibly shape the (progressive) evolution of cognitive abilities, suggesting the potential to induce sexual dimorphisms in superior cognitive abilities. Associations between an individual’s mating success, sexual traits and its cognitive abilities have been found consistently across vertebrate species and taxa, providing evidence that sexual selection may well shape the supporting cognitive prerequisites. Yet, while superior cognitive abilities provide benefits such as higher feeding success, improved antipredator behavior, or more favorable mate choice, they also claim costs such as higher energy levels and metabolic rates, which in turn may reduce fecundity, growth, or immune response. There is compelling evidence in a variety of vertebrate taxa that females appear to prefer skilled problem-solver males, i.e., they prefer those that appear to have better cognitive abilities. Consequently, cognition is also likely to have substantial effects on sexual selection processes. How the choosing sex assesses the cognitive abilities of potential mates has not been explored conclusively yet. Do cognitive skills guide an individual’s mate choice and does learning change an individual’s mate choice decisions? How and to which extent do individuals use their own cognitive skills to assess those of their conspecifics when choosing a mate? How does an individual’s role within a mating system influence the choice of the choosing sex in this context? Drawing on several examples from the vertebrate world, this review aims to elucidate various aspects associated with cognitive sex differences, the different roles of males and females in social and sexual interactions, and the potential influence of cognition on mate choice decisions. Finally, future perspectives aim to identify ways to answer the central question of how the triad of sex, cognition, and mate choice interacts.

scholarly journals The development of drunk behaviour during evacuation

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simeon A. Doychinov ◽  
Ann S. Dederichs
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Coordination Problem ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Sound Recordings ◽  
Safety Design ◽  
Fire Safety Design ◽  
The Subject

The intoxication of the occupants is hardly considered in the fire safety design, due to the lack of data on the subject. Recent research experiments into the influence of alcohol on evacuation have shown evidence that there might be a correlation between the development of drunk behaviour and the surroundings or context in which the occupants are situated. That is why the experiment in this report investigated the development of drunk behaviour in a group of people within a party environment, independently of alcohol, with the use of non-alcoholic beer as a placebo. The participants were put through 3 identical exercises, which were aimed at testing their balance, reaction times, concentration, hand to eye coordination, problem solving skills, cognitive skills and cooperation. In addition to that they performed 2 evacuations that were used to interrupt their ’drunk behaviour’ and test their reaction, decision and overall evacuation times. They were also analysed for signs of drunk behaviour with video and sound recordings. The results showed clear reduction of performance in the tests for concentration, hand to eye coordination, problem solving skills, cognitive skills and cooperation after the consumption of the beer, but little change in the balance tests. Apart from that, some of the participants showed signs of drunk behaviour, such as playfulness and increase in noise after the alcohol was consumed and these were reduced after the environment changed. Based on this it was concluded that even with non-alcoholic beer some of the participants developed drunk behaviour, like that observed in previous experiments with the use of alcohol.

The Predictive Power of Turkish Teachers’ Reflective Thinking Skills Perceptions in their Problem Solving Skills Perceptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Ceren KARAKOÇ ◽  
Özden DEMİR
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Reflective Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Professional Perspective ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Turkish Education

The Turkish education program has a great importance in terms of increasing the quality of education and training process and determining and developing the cognitive skills of students. The explanation of the relationship between the high-level thinking skills of Turkish teachers responsible for teaching the program and the Turkish education program reveals the necessity of the study. Accordingly, this research was created in order to determine the relationship between reflective thinking skills perceptions and problem solving skills perceptions that should be present in Turkish teaching. The sample of the study consists of 106 Turkish teachers who are working in eight districts of Kars Province. In this study, the Reflective Thinking Tendency Scale (YANDE) and Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) were used. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. According to the findings, the relationships between total and sub-dimensions of Turkish teachers’ reflective thinking skills perceptions and their problem-solving skills perceptions were moderate. According to the findings; continuous and purposeful thinking, open-mindedness, questioner and effective teaching, teaching responsibility and scientificity, predictive and sincerity and professional perspective sub-dimensions of reflective thinking scale do not significantly predict any sub-dimension of problem solving. However, it is observed that the ‘researcher sub-dimension of the reflective thinking’ scale significantly predicts problem solving total scores, hasty approach scores, thinking approach scores and avoidant approach scores. The relationship between total and sub-dimensions of reflective thinking skills perceptions of Turkish teachers and total and sub-dimensions of problem solving skills perceptions was found to be at a moderate level. These thinking skills should be considered when planning activities in undergraduate and professional education to develop reflective thinking skills perceptions and problem solving skills perceptions of Turkish teachers.

scholarly journals ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN PEMAHAMAN DAN PEMECAHAM MASALAH MATEMATIK SISWA MTs PADA MATERI BANGUN RUANG SISI DATAR

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 965
Author(s):  
Kusnita Damar Sari ◽  
Rismayanti Rismayanti ◽  
Indah Puspitasari
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Mathematical Problem ◽  
Mathematical Problem Solving ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Test Instrument ◽  
Mathematical Problems

Mathematical cognitive abilities that must be possessed by students one of them is the ability to understand mathematics and mathematical poblem solving. The pupose of this study is to determine the extent to which the ability and solving mathematical problems that students have. The research method used is qualitatve descriptive with sampel nineteen students class IX MTs in Cianjur egency. The test instrument was given five questions of mathematical comprehension and five problems of mathematical problem solving test. Based on the results of ability to comprehend and solve mathematical problems, the understanding and problem solving skills of MTs students in Cianjur regency is still low.

scholarly journals Effects of Bystander's Emotional Empathy and Social Problem-Solving Skills on Defending Behaviors Against Bullying in Elementary School: Mediated Through Peer Acceptance

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 741-753
Author(s):  
He Sook Nancy Kim ◽  
Kyung Ja Park
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Peer Acceptance ◽  
Social Problem Solving ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Emotional Empathy ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Defending Behaviors

Objectives: Many children are exposed to their peers being bullied, which negatively impacts individuals and the society as a whole. We investigated the effects of elementary school children’s emotional empathy and social problem-solving skills on their defending behaviors. We evaluated the direct and indirect effects of these personal characteristics, mediated through their perceived peer acceptance among classmates. Gender differences were also tested.Methods: The study participants were 386 fourth- and fifth-graders (M = 10.4 yrs.) from six elementary schools in the metropolitan Seoul area of South Korea. Children’s perceived social acceptance, emotional empathy, and problem-solving skills were measured using self-reported questionnaires. Defending behavior was measured using peer nomination. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were conducted using SPSS 21.0 and MPLUS 6.12.Results: Bystanders‘ emotional empathy and social problem-solving skills had significant effects on defending behaviors. Social problem-solving skills directly affected defending behaviors of boys and girls. Girls’ peer acceptance mediated both emotional empathy and social problem-solving skills for defending behaviors, while no mediation effect was found in boys.Conclusion: For children, feeling accepted by classmates is important for defending bullied peers. For girls, peer acceptance magnifies their socio-emotional and socio-cognitive skills, empowering them to defend the bullied peers. However, for boys, having competent socio-cognitive skills alone is sufficient. Based on this study’s findings, it is recommended that interventions are needed to enhance bystanders’ emotional empathy and social problem-solving skills, and thereby, empowering them to be competent defenders against school bullying.

scholarly journals Chimpanzees’ (Pan troglodytes) problem-solving skills are influenced by housing facility and captive care duration

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10263
Author(s):  
Sofia Forss ◽  
Alba Motes-Rodrigo ◽  
Christine Hrubesch ◽  
Claudio Tennie
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Reaching Task ◽  
Cognitive Studies ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Problem Solvers

Although a large body of primate cognition research is done in captive institutions, little is known about how much individuals from different facilities vary in their experiences and cognitive skills. Here we present the results of an experimental study investigating how physical cognitive skills vary between chimpanzees in relation to captive settings and their time in captivity. We tested 59 chimpanzees housed at two different captive facilities (a rehabilitation center (sanctuary) and a zoo) in three problem-solving tasks. Our results showed that chimpanzees at the two housing facilities significantly differed in overall task performance. On average, the sanctuary chimpanzees outperformed the chimpanzees housed at the zoo in the detour reaching task and the honey trap task. However, the zoo chimpanzees performed slightly better on average in the learning task. We propose that, for this particular sample, the documented differences result from a combination of factors, such as prior experience with cognitive testing, motivation levels and varying degrees of human exposure. Within the sanctuary sample, we found that chimpanzees who arrived at an earlier age at the sanctuary and had therefore spent a larger percentage of their lives in a captive environment, were better problem-solvers than those that arrived at a later age to the sanctuary. Thus, rehabilitation and time in captivity contributed to improved physical cognitive skills in sanctuary chimpanzees. Our results highlight the importance of studying intraspecific variation and the effect that previous experience and living conditions might have on physical cognitive skills in non-human apes. Accordingly, we should be cautious when extrapolating findings of cognitive studies from one population to the species as a whole.

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