Digital embryos: a novel technical approach to investigate perceptual categorization in pigeons (Columba livia) using machine learning.

ABSTRACT: Pigeons are classic model animals to study perceptual category learning. To achieve a deeper understanding of the cognitive mechanisms of categorization, a careful consideration of the employed stimulus material and a thorough analysis of the choice behavior is mandatory. In the present study, we combined the use of "virtual phylogenesis", an evolutionary algorithm to generate artificial yet naturalistic stimuli termed digital embryos and a machine learning approach on the pigeons' pecking responses to gain insight into the underlying categorization strategies of the animals. In a forced-choice procedure, pigeons learned to categorize these stimuli and transferred their knowledge successfully to novel exemplars. We used peck tracking to identify where on the stimulus the animals pecked and

SUBMITTER: Pusch R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9334434 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature