The search for symmetry: 25 years in review |
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Authors: | Karen M Lionello-DeNolf |
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Institution: | 1.Shriver Center,UMMS,Waltham |
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Abstract: | It has been 25 years since the publication of Sidman et al.’s (1982) report on the search for symmetry in nonhuman animals.
They attributed their nonhuman subjects’ failure to the absence of some critical experiences (e.g., exemplar training, control
of location variables, and generalized identity matching). Since then, species ranging from rats to chimpanzees have been
tested on symmetry, and the results have been equivocal. Twenty-four investigations of symmetry in nonhumans are reviewed
to determine whether the underlying factors first addressed by Sidman et al. (1982) have been verified and whether new factors
have been identified. The emergent picture shows that the standard procedures as typically implemented on a three-key apparatus
are insufficient by themselves to produce emergent symmetry in nonhumans. Recent successful demonstrations of symmetry in
sea lions and pigeons have clarified certain important stimulus control variables (i.e., select and reject control) and suggest
avenues for future research. Reliable symmetry may be achievable with nonhumans if training and test procedures that encourage
compatible stimulus-control topographies and relations are designed. |
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