Observational learning in cattle

摘要: Four experiments were designed to find evidence of observational learning in cattle. The run on ten experimental heifers, each observing a demonstrator mate performing task, and control non-demonstrator mate. mates observers separated by wire netting Experiments 1–3, but the same room Experiment 4. task be learned was push panel get food into box. All naive animals able observe while their performed task. 1 4 Salers heifers that had no prior experience testing room; those 2 accustomed 3 Aubrac or Limousin already eaten room. The behaviour influenced mates: activity at near boxes enhanced presence demonstrators (box contacts: 38.0 ± 16.2 vs. 22.1 11.9 for respectively; P 0.05). time spent eating longer when observer only visual contact with (Experiment 1: 15.9 1.6 11.6 1.8 min), lower physical contacts possible 4: 4.6 8.8 5.4 2.2 min; P<0.05). Ten out 11 compared three nine (P<0.05). latter more door sniffed walls often than former (2.0 1.9 0.4 0.6 min, P<0.05, 18.1 13.4 2.7 6.5 P<0.01), as though they trying flee situation. When observed demonstrator, attention drawn stimuli involved acquisition knowledge not greatly improved.