Video-Task Paradigm Extended to Saimiri

Abstract

In the “video-task paradigm” a subject manipulates a joy-stick to move a cursor into an experimenter-defined target area on a computer monitor, generally receiving a food reward upon completion of the task. Despite the spatial separation of the joy-stick, monitor, and location of reward delivery, the video-task paradigm has been successfully implemented with several macaque species and with chimpanzees. Preliminary attempts to implement the paradigm with squirrel monkeys, however, were not successful. This report describes successful performance by a squirrel monkey in the paradigm. After learning to move the cursor to contact a small target randomly appearing at four screen locations, the monkey was readily able to move the cursor to contact a moving target in novel locations on the monitor screen.