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Department: Psychology
Symposium Year: 2012
Student(s): Kayla Long, Alexandra Naglowsky, and Martina Parra
Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Erica H. Kennedy
One method of studying whether animals have a concept of “sameness” is by using a “Match-to-Sample” task. In this experiment, Cotton-Top Tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) were tested using a three dimensional Match-to-Sample (MTS) task with multiple cues. This task involved hiding food under one of two cups, varying in size, color, and position which were presented to the tamarins. The experimenter revealed a food reward beneath a third cup in their possession. The experimenter’s cup (the “sample”) was the same size and color as the cup hiding the treat. To further enhance color variation, a sticker of contrasting color was also placed on each cup. Success was measured by choosing the cup matching the size and color of the sample cup in order gain the food reward. It was predicted that the success rate for the majority of tamarins would be significantly above chance levels.