Learning And Cognition
The research programs in this laboratory are concerned with basic processes of learning, memory and decisions. We use monkeys and pigeons as well as humans as subjects, as we frequently conduct nearly identical experiments with all three species.
One research program involves basic mechanisms underlying memory processing in monkeys, pigeons, and humans. Procedures have been developed so that animals can remember lists of items almost as accurately and with the same testing conditions as humans. These procedures provide the means to explore and compare short-term and long-term memory processing in animals and humans.
A second research program involves abstract concept learning (e.g., identity, nonidentity and matching to sample) in animals which has traditionally been used to place animals on a scale of intelligence. We have developed some new procedures with pigeons which show, for the first time, concept learning in an avian species. The processes responsible for concept learning are being explored.
A third research program involves decision processes by which subjects make choices: How they compare the choices available, and what strategies they use to decide which choice to choose. The analytic framework used in these investigations includes a mathematical model of the experimental results. The analytic framework has shown promise in the investigation of very early learning stages with pigeons. It has also been used to investigate human decision processes, and different decision strategies have been shown for pigeons and humans.
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Selected Reading
Wright, AA, Santiago, HC, Sands, SF, Kendrick, DF, Cook, RG. (1985) Memory processing of serial lists by pigeons, monkeys, and people. Science, 229:287-289.
Wright, AA, Cook, RG, Rivera, JJ, Sands, SF, Delius, JD. (1988). Concept learning by pigeons: matching-to-sample with trial-unique video picture stimuli. Anim. Learn. and Behav., 16:436-444.
Wright, AA (1990). Memory processing by pigeons, monkeys and people. In: G.H. Bower (Ed.) The Psychol. of Learn. and Motiv. Volume 24 (pp. 25-70). New York: Academic Press.
Wright, AA, Cook, RG, Rivera, JJ, Shyan, MR, Neiworth, JJ, Jitsumori, M. (1990) Naming, rehearsal, and interstimulus interval effects in memory processing. J.of Exp. Psychol.: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 16:1043-1059.
Wright, AA. (1992) Learning mechanisms in matching to sample. J. Experi. Psychol.: Animal Behav. Proc. 18:67-79.
Wright, AA, Delius, JD. (1994) Scratch and match: Pigeons learn matching and oddity with gravel stimuli. J. Exper. Psychol.: Animal Behav. Proc. 20:108-112.
Wright, AA. (1997) Concept learning and learning strategies. Psychol. Sci. 8:119-123.
Wright, AA, Rivera, JJ. (1997) Memory of auditory lists by rhesus monkeys. J. Exper. Psychol.: Animal Behav. Proc. 23:441-449.
Search PubMed for additional articles.
Location & Contact
6431 Fannin Street,
Houston, Texas 77030
PO Box 20708,
Houston, Texas 77225
713.500.4472
