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Science 29 March 1968:
Vol. 159. no. 3822, pp. 1489 - 1491
DOI: 10.1126/science.159.3822.1489
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Articles

Observation Learning in Cats

E. Roy John 1, Phyllis Chesler 1, Frank Bartlett 1, and Ira Victor 1

1 Brain Research Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, New York 10029

In two experiments cats acquired a stimulus-controlled approach or avoidance response by observational or conventional shaping procedures. Observer cats acquired the avoidance response (hurdle jumping in response to a buzzer stimulus) significantly faster and made fewer errors than cats that were conventionally trained. Observer cats acquired the approach response (lever pressing for food in response to a light stimulus) with significantly fewer errors than cats that were conventionally trained. In some cases, observer cats committed one or no errors while reaching criterion.


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