Cross-Modal Transfer of Discrimination Learning in Cebus Monkeys

Abstract

AbstractCebus monkeys were tested for cross-modal transfer of discrimination LSs or single problem discrimination learning in both directions between vision and touch. In Experiment I, seven animals were trained on multiple problems in one of the two modalities and were then tested for cross-modal transfer in the alternate mode. One monkey out of the seven showed evidence of significant improvement in performance on tactile problems attributable to his previous visual learning. No other transfer, from vision to touch or from touch to vision, was observed in this experiment. In Experiment II, eight animals were trained to discriminate between a single pair of stimulus objects either tactually or visually and then were required to discriminate between these same objects in the opposite modality. Another four animals were trained similarly but, in order to determine if observed transfer across modes was dependent upon the identity of the discrimination required in the two modalities, were given different stimulus pairs to discriminate in the two modalities. Analysis of the results of Experiment II showed that transfer in both directions occurred under single problem training conditions and that this transfer was not necessarily attributable to specific learning of the same discrimination in the two modes.