Rhesus monkeys generalize metacognitive responding across perceptual and memory tasks Pubblico
Brown, Emily K. (2015)
Abstract
Metacognition is the ability to access one's own cognitive states. To better understand the mechanisms that underlie apparently metacognitive behavior in nonhumans, we must determine what discriminative cues control decision making. Here, we evaluate the bases of metacognitive responding in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) by a series of generalization tests that varied in the types of cues available to control metacognition. In Experiment 1, we trained a group of monkeys on a perceptual discrimination in which correct responses were rewarded with food. We then provided a secondary metacognitive "decline-test" response by which monkeys could avoid tests and receive a guaranteed, but smaller, reward. In Experiments 2-4, we evaluated whether monkeys generalized use of the decline-test response to 3 new perceptual tasks, in the absence of stimulus-specific cues from their initial training. In Experiment 5, we further evaluated the possibility that metacognitive responding was controlled by public, non-introspective cues in a delayed matching-to-sample task. This memory test differed from the perceptual tests in that metacognitive responding cannot be controlled by properties of the test display. In Experiment 6, monkeys' use of the decline-test response differed as a function of task difficulty in a prospective judgment memory test. Because the metacognitive choice was presented before the test appeared in this final experiment, the public cues available to control metacognitive behavior were limited. Together these results provide provisional evidence that rhesus monkeys may be able to use a domain-general, private cue such as "uncertainty" to monitor that status of cognitive processes and knowledge states.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction. 1
2. Subjects. 6
3. Apparatus. 7
4. Procedure. 7
4.1 Monkey housing and testing conditions. 7
4.2 Training on perceptual discriminations. 8
5. Experiment 1- Size Discrimination. 9
5.1 Training on size discrimination. 9
5.2 Training on the decline-test response. 10
5.3 Data analysis. 12
5.4 Results and discussion. 12
6. Experiment 2- Brightness Discrimination. 15
6.1 Rationale. 15
6.2 Subjects. 15
6.3 Training on brightness discrimination. 15
6.4 Pre-transfer review. 16
6.5 Transfer of the decline-test response. 17
6.6 Data analysis. 17
6.7 Results and discussion. 17
7. Experiment 3- Arc Length Discrimination. 19
7.1 Rationale. 19
7.2 Subjects. 19
7.3 Pre-training on known discriminations. 20
7.4 Training on arc length discrimination. 20
7.5 Pre-transfer review. 21
7.6 Transfer of the decline-test response. 22
7.7 Results and discussion. 22
8. Experiment 4- Rotation Discrimination. 23
8.1 Rationale. 23
8.2 Subjects. 23
8.3 Pre-training on known discriminations. 23
8.4 Training on rotation discrimination. 24
8.5 Pre-transfer review. 25
8.6 Transfer of the decline-test response. 25
8.7 Results and discussion. 25
9. Experiment 5- Concurrent Metamemory. 28
9.1 Rationale. 28
9.2 Memory tasks. 28
9.3 Subjects. 30
9.4 Pre-training on known discriminations. 30
9.5 Training for memory task. 30
9.6 Pre-transfer review. 30
9.7 Transfer of the decline-test response. 31
9.8 Results and discussion. 31
10. Experiment 6- Prospective Metamemory. 33
10.1 Rationale. 33
10.2 Subjects. 33
10.3 Pre-training on known discriminations. 34
10.4 Pre-transfer review. 34
10.5 Transfer of the decline-test response. 34
10.6 Results and discussion. 35
11. General Discussion. 36
12. References. 41
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