PLoS ONE (Jan 2012)

Vicarious learning from human models in monkeys.

  • Rossella Falcone,
  • Emiliano Brunamonti,
  • Aldo Genovesio

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040283
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 7
p. e40283

Abstract

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We examined whether monkeys can learn by observing a human model, through vicarious learning. Two monkeys observed a human model demonstrating an object-reward association and consuming food found underneath an object. The monkeys observed human models as they solved more than 30 learning problems. For each problem, the human models made a choice between two objects, one of which concealed a piece of apple. In the test phase afterwards, the monkeys made a choice of their own. Learning was apparent from the first trial of the test phase, confirming the ability of monkeys to learn by vicarious observation of human models.