ERIC Number: EJ837489
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-May
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0096-3445
EISSN: N/A
Empty Sets as Part of the Numerical Continuum: Conceptual Precursors to the Zero Concept in Rhesus Monkeys
Merritt, Dustin J.; Rugani, Rosa; Brannon, Elizabeth M.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, v138 n2 p258-269 May 2009
The goal of the current research was to explore whether monkeys possess conceptual precursors necessary for understanding zero. We trained rhesus monkeys on a nonsymbolic numerical matching-to-sample task, and on a numerical ordering task. We then introduced nondifferentially reinforced trials that contained empty sets to determine whether monkeys would treat empty sets as numerical values. All monkeys successfully matched and ordered the empty sets without any training. Accuracy showed distance effects, indicating that they treated empty sets as values on a numerical continuum. (Contains 8 figures, 1 table and 2 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Primatology, Mathematical Concepts, Symbols (Mathematics), Objective Tests, Cognitive Processes, Comprehension, Inferences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A