Analysis of "Mirror Self-Recognition in Bottlenose Dolphins: Implications for Comparative Investigations of Highly Dissimilar Species"
Studies using chimpanzees, orangutans, and humans have shown displays of self-recognition with the introduction of a mirror. The display, exhibited by these animals, shows a certain cognitive level that's hard to achieve by other animals. The experiment tested by Marino, Reiss, and Gallup, Jr. built on the idea of self-recognition by testing cetaceans, particularly bottlenose dolphins.
Two dolphins were exposed to a life size mirror for 36 hours over an 11-day period. On the 11th day, the dolphins were marked with white Zinc Oxide. The animals were already habituated with the marking procedure from previous sham marking to Neo Blue. One drawback of the experiment (besides the fact that there was a relatively small sample size) was the fact that the dolphins could feel the Zinc Oxide on their skin, and thus there was also tactile stimulation. All behaviors during the period were video taped and analyzed via a behavioral ethogram.
Although inconclusive, the results turned out to be highly suggestive. The data was organized in clear concise diagrams and charts in the scientific paper. Dolphins showed many specific responses to the mirror, including head movements, posturing, and certain repetitive movements. Although these actions seemed out of the ordinary, it was still hard to determine with these actions were due to self-recognition or if they were merely social behaviors. The animals responded to the white mark by posturing their bodies towards the mirror, indicating examination of the mark. As the mark was removed the animals would return to the mirror, posturing themselves to look at the mark.
This experiment in many ways mimicked those of primate mirror studies. In a sense this study tried to replicate primate tests, but because the two animals and their environments differ so much, certain issues about the validity of using a primate test to prove the existence of self-recognition for dolphins arose. Exposure time to the mirror for dolphins was extremely limited compared to the time that primates were allotted. Another discrepancy between the experiments was the fact that primates were anaesthetized as compared to the dolphins which used sham marking. Both studies focused on visual aspects of the self-recognition, but although vision is excellent in dolphins, audition is their primary sense (unlike primates).
Shirihai, H. and B. Jarrett (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton, Princeton University Press. p.185-188.
So where is the middle ground in animals use in psychological research? In summary of all the information mentioned in this paper we are, in a way already at the middle ground. Since the majority of psychological research is conducted for comparative psychological gain, then it is in the best interest of animals to be used in the research. How can the use of animals in research are considered truly cruel to animals if it is in that species best interest. Along with the strict regulations out in place by the APA and the IACUC, I believe that the Rogerian style middle ground is achieved. I fully support the study of animals in psychology.
...llent imitators. Imitation ability was tested at the dolphin institute; two bottlenose dolphins each had their own trainer and could see the other dolphin, but not the other dolphin’s trainer. Trainers then gave commands to the dolphins. In this experiment, it was found that dolphins, despite not being able to see the trainer, could successfully imitate another dolphin’s behavior after that dolphin was given a command from its trainer (TDI 2012). Additionally, dolphins could imitate human movements after associating analogous parts of their body with human parts. For example, the dolphin raised its tail when its trainer raised her leg (TDI 2012). The ability for dolphins to successfully imitate another dolphin’s behavior suggests that dolphins have learning abilities, giving further insight and a better understanding of social structures of the dolphin community.
The common most popular types of dolphins are; the common dolphin and the Dall’s porpoise dolphin. The two might be so much similar for one to spot a difference easily. This essay highlights the difference between the two species based on the morphological structures. The difference in the common dolphin
Language is commonly held to be the province of humans, but other inhabitants of earth possess their own forms of communication. Birds, dolphins, and whales are some of those that have a language. Primates also use vocal communication with each other. Their utterances have varied uses and volumes, with each primate’s voice being distinct just as human voices are. These unique calls have given researchers insight into the social workings of primate groups. The very fact that primates have a language offers insight into the evolution of language and calls into question what the term human truly means.
The widely popular research on mirror neurons and various applications of the research findings began with an important, but unexpected finding in the brains of macaque monkeys. The original studies did not intend to look at mirror neurons and in fact the existence of mirror neurons was found by accident. Neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti and his colleagues found a group of cells that fired whenever a monkey prepared to act on a stimulus as well as when it watched another monkey act on the stimulus (Winerman, 2005). For example, the monkeys showed a similar pattern of activation when they were performing a simple motor action like grasping a peanut and when they watched another monkey perform the same action (Winerman, 2005). In other words, monkey see, monkey fire -- monkey do, monkey fire. This grouping of cells was called "mirror neurons." The ...
There are some studies that do prove that animals are conscious though. In “Why Elephants Never Forget” elephants have remembered a drought from when they were young so they remember to not go to that area for water. Also many elephant herds have a better survival rate if the leader is an elder because they’ve been around longer and remember more places that aren’t safe. Lastly the only other piece of evidence of a conscious animal is Alex the parrot because he was able to communicate and know what he was saying it wasn't just nothing like “Polly wants a cracker” it was actual communication. This doesn't mean animals aren’t conscious it just means there isn’t enough evidence and studies to back it up. Next studies have shown that animals are compassionate and have showed in in different ways. In “What Your Pet Is Thinking” Grace is a elephant in her own herd but another elephant was in trouble in a different herd and Grace went out of her way to try and help
This constant surveillance has provided the scientific community with a much clearer look into the psychological attributes of the orca, which in turn helps conservationists handle real-world trials for all marine mammals. Institutions such as these play an important role in developing an understanding of how humans can help ensure ecosystems globally stabilize. Further studies have been inducted at SeaWorld, which have yielded fascinating results about orca and dolphin dialects. Dolphins use a technique of speech called echolocation, where they emit sounds that reflect back an image much like sonar technologies. Researchers have detected variations in this form of communication between pods, even those who originate from similar locations. These variations derive from the frequencies, the whales use long range frequencies in order to communicate over distances up to 300 miles away. Although SeaWorld has been able to analyze this fundamental research, wild orcas and dolphins are much more valuable for the research. Even though marine animals can be held in captivity, the ethics of the matter are still at
Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 13, 279-301.
Murphy, J., Hall, C., & Arkins, S. (2009). What horses and humans see: A comparative
...m. This many have implications for the development of early behavioral interventions aimed at triaging basic mechanisms supported by the mirror-neuron system, rather than correcting more complex behaviors.
In this example, two primates were placed behind either a transparent or an opaque screen. Between these screens was a banana and I learned how a primate reacted when approached with the option if he should go for the banana when put against a dominant primate. I was impressed that they didn’t engage in a brawl over the banana, but instead used thought in regard to hierarchy. This to me, without doubt, proves once more that primates are able to produce complex behaviors that relate to humans. Thinking like this insinuates that primates as well as creatures other than humans have the ability of using
Cohen, Jon. "Thinking Like A Chimpanzee." Smithsonian 41.5 (2010): 50. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
It is nearly impossible to say whether non-human animals are intelligent. Most studies, in this field of psychology, were carried out on primates, and it is thought that these animals are naturally superior. It seems most behaviour in the research discussed in this essay can be explained through association learning, therefore not actually a result of intelligence. It is difficult to falsify whether animals are intelligent or not because, although they are able to solve problems they only show some aspects to suggest ToM.
There are many reasons why dolphins are very intelligent animals, there are 33 different types of marine dolphins, 4 types of river dolphins, and 6 types of porpoises (dolphins are mammals). Some of the dolphinspeople may think they would be whales, because of their looks, but they are dolphins. Dolphins have a strong behavior; they are very social and travel in groups together. They commonly swim in groups of 2-15 . Severalof different groups of dolphins may temporarily join, for several minutes or hours. In the open waters of theocean, some dolphins will leave their group and change associates and adapt with different dolphins threw outtime (Dolphins communication). In the groups, some members will form a strong bond with one another in thepod. The sizes of the groups tend to increase with the water depth of the ocean and the openness of the habitat, this usually happens when protection with strong with each other and foraging st...