Fagen (elephant learning)

Question 1

Psychology investigated

Fagen

Answer 1

• Operant conditioning is learning by consequence. If you are rewarded you are more likely to repeat a behaviour; if you are punished you are less likely to repeat the behaviour.
• A primary reinforcer is one that fulfils a illogical need, whereas a secondary reinforcer can be used as an exchange for a primary reinforcer.
• Secondary positive reinforcement can use a sound as a secondary reinforcer that is consistently followed by a primary reinforcer.

Question 2

Research method

Fagen

Answer 2

controlled structured observation

Question 3

Research design

Fagen

Answer 3

Repeated measures

Question 4

Aim

Fagen

Answer 4

To investigate whether secondary positive reinforcement (SPR) techniques could effectively train traditionally trained elephants in Nepal to voluntarily participate in trunk-washing procedures.

Question 5

Hypothesis

Fagen

Answer 5

SPR techniques could effectively train traditionally trained elephants in Nepal to voluntarily participate in trunk-washing procedures.

Question 6

Variables

Fagen

Answer 6

Dependent variables: training session duration, number of offers, percentage of correct responses, cumulative time spent training, overall improvement in performance.

Question 7

Conclusions

Fagen

Answer 7

• SPR can be successfully implemented to train elephants for veterinary procedures such as trunk wash. This process can be less stressful and more humane compared to traditional elephant training techniques in Nepal, which often involved punishment and aversion.
• Age may play a role in elephants’ learning ability and younger elephants may be more receptive to SPR.

Question 8

Strengths and weaknesses

Fagen

Answer 8

Strengths:
* Reliability
* Internal validity
* Quantitative data
* Ecological validity
* Ethics

Weaknesses:
* Generalisability
* Internal validity

Question 9

Application to real life

Fagen

Answer 9

Service dog trainers can use SPR techniques to increase voluntary cooperation with tasks

Question 10

Issues and debates

Fagen

Answer 10

Nature vs nurture:
* Nature: biological differences in factors such as cognitive abilities and personalities impact variations in performance.
* Nurture: researchers successfully implemented training procedures that taught the elephants how to perform a trunk wash independently.

Individual vs situational:
* Individual: there are differences in learning speed and performance (including mastery of the task) between the elephants involved.
* Situational: there are environmental factors that affect performance, such as the impact of tourists, other animals, or other distractions.