Volume 1, 2015, Pages 67–89
Evolutionary Origins and Early Development of Number Processing
Abstract
Do
humans and nonhumans share the ability to form abstract concepts,
particularly with respect to number? Until the 1960s, many researchers
questioned whether avian subjects could form categorical constructs,
much less more abstract formulations, including concepts such as
same-different or exact understanding of number. Here, I review research
on numerical concepts in the Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus),
demonstrating that at least one subject, Alex, understood number
symbols as abstract representations of real-world collections, in ways
comparing favorably to those of apes and young human children. He also
appeared to learn numerical concepts in ways more similar to those of
humans than to apes.
Keywords
- Grey parrot cognition;
- Grey parrot numerical concepts;
- avian cognition;
- abstract concepts in Grey parrots
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
