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Howard SR, Dyer AG. Quantity misperception by hymenopteran insects observing the solitaire illusion. iScience 2024; 27:108697. [PMID: 38288356 PMCID: PMC10823103 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Visual illusions are errors in signal perception and inform us about the visual and cognitive processes of different animals. Invertebrates are relatively less studied for their illusionary perception, despite the insight that comparative data provides on the evolution of common perceptual mechanisms. The Solitaire Illusion is a numerosity illusion where a viewer typically misperceives the relative quantities of two items of different colors consisting of identical quantity, with more centrally clustered items appearing more numerous. We trained European honeybees (Apis mellifera) and European wasps (Vespula vulgaris) to select stimuli containing a higher quantity of yellow dots in arrays of blue and yellow dots and then presented them with the Solitaire Illusion. Insects learnt to discriminate between dot quantities and showed evidence of perceiving the Solitaire Illusion. Further work should determine whether the illusion is caused by numerical cues only or by both quantity and non-numerical spatial cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett R. Howard
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Adrian G. Dyer
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology (iDN), Johannes Gutenberg University, 55122 Mainz, Germany
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2
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Ramawat S, Marc IB, Ceccarelli F, Ferrucci L, Bardella G, Ferraina S, Pani P, Brunamonti E. The transitive inference task to study the neuronal correlates of memory-driven decision making: A monkey neurophysiology perspective. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105258. [PMID: 37268179 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A vast amount of literature agrees that rank-ordered information as A>B>C>D>E>F is mentally represented in spatially organized schemas after learning. This organization significantly influences the process of decision-making, using the acquired premises, i.e. deciding if B is higher than D is equivalent to comparing their position in this space. The implementation of non-verbal versions of the transitive inference task has provided the basis for ascertaining that different animal species explore a mental space when deciding among hierarchically organized memories. In the present work, we reviewed several studies of transitive inference that highlighted this ability in animals and, consequently, the animal models developed to study the underlying cognitive processes and the main neural structures supporting this ability. Further, we present the literature investigating which are the underlying neuronal mechanisms. Then we discuss how non-human primates represent an excellent model for future studies, providing ideal resources for better understanding the neuronal correlates of decision-making through transitive inference tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Ramawat
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabel Beatrice Marc
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Program, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo Ferrucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Bardella
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferraina
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Pani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliano Brunamonti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
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3
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Lee H, Choi W, Lee D, Paik SB. Comparison of visual quantities in untrained neural networks. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112900. [PMID: 37516959 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to compare quantities of visual objects with two distinct measures, proportion and difference, is observed even in newborn animals. However, how this function originates in the brain, even before visual experience, remains unknown. Here, we propose a model in which neuronal tuning for quantity comparisons can arise spontaneously in completely untrained neural circuits. Using a biologically inspired model neural network, we find that single units selective to proportions and differences between visual quantities emerge in randomly initialized feedforward wirings and that they enable the network to perform quantity comparison tasks. Notably, we find that two distinct tunings to proportion and difference originate from a random summation of monotonic, nonlinear neural activities and that a slight difference in the nonlinear response function determines the type of measure. Our results suggest that visual quantity comparisons are primitive types of functions that can emerge spontaneously before learning in young brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonsu Lee
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Woochul Choi
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongil Lee
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Bum Paik
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Sex differences in learning flexibility in an avian brood parasite, the shiny cowbird. Behav Processes 2021; 189:104438. [PMID: 34087347 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Females of brood parasitic shiny cowbirds, Molothrus bonariensis, search and prospect host nests, synchronizing parasitism with host laying. This behavior is sex-specific, as females perform this task without male's assistance. Host nests must be removed from the female's memory "library" after being parasitized, to avoid repeated parasitism, or when they become unavailable because of predation. Thus, females must adjust their stored information about host nest status more dynamically than males, possibly leading to differences in learning flexibility. We tested for sex differences in a visual (local cues) and a spatial discrimination reversal learning task, expecting females to outperform males as an expression of greater behavioral flexibility. Both sexes learned faster the spatial than the visual task during both acquisition and reversal. In the visual task there were no sex differences in acquisition, but females reversed faster than males. In the spatial task there were no sex differences during either acquisition or reversal, possibly because of a ceiling effect: both sexes learned too fast for differences in performance to be detectable. Faster female reversal in a visual but not spatial task indicates that the greater behavioral flexibility in females may only be detectable above some level of task difficulty.
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Rugani R, Vallortigara G, Priftis K, Regolin L. Numerical magnitude, rather than individual bias, explains spatial numerical association in newborn chicks. eLife 2020; 9:e54662. [PMID: 32584257 PMCID: PMC7316507 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We associate small numbers with the left and large numbers with the right side of space. Recent evidence from human newborns and non-human animals has challenged the primary role assigned to culture, in determining this spatial numerical association (SNA). Nevertheless, the effect of individual spatial biases has not been considered in previous research. Here, we tested the effect of numerical magnitude in SNA and we controlled for itablendividual biases. We trained 3-day-old chicks (Gallus gallus) on a given numerical magnitude (5). Then chicks could choose between two identical, left or right, stimuli both representing either 2, 8, or 5 elements. We computed the percentage of Left-sided Choice (LC). Numerical magnitude, but not individual lateral bias, explained LC: LC2 vs. 2>LC5 vs. 5>LC8 vs. 8. These findings suggest that SNA originates from pre-linguistic precursors, and pave the way to the investigation of the neural correlates of the number space association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Rugani
- Department of General Psychology, University of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Department of Psychology, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | | | | | - Lucia Regolin
- Department of General Psychology, University of PadovaPadovaItaly
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Di Giorgio E, Lunghi M, Rugani R, Regolin L, Dalla Barba B, Vallortigara G, Simion F. A mental number line in human newborns. Dev Sci 2019; 22:e12801. [DOI: 10.1111/desc.12801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Di Giorgio
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology University of Padova Padova Italy
| | - Marco Lunghi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology University of Padova Padova Italy
| | - Rosa Rugani
- Department of General Psychology University of Padova Padova Italy
- Department of Psychology University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA
| | - Lucia Regolin
- Department of General Psychology University of Padova Padova Italy
| | | | | | - Francesca Simion
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology University of Padova Padova Italy
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7
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Rugani R, Vallortigara G, Priftis K, Regolin L. Experimental Evidence From Newborn Chicks Enriches Our Knowledge on Human Spatial-Numerical Associations. Cogn Sci 2017; 41:2275-2279. [PMID: 29023943 DOI: 10.1111/cogs.12523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Núñez and Fias raised concerns on whether our results demonstrate a linear number-space mapping. Patro and Nuerk urge caution on the use of animal models to understand the origin (cultural vs. biological) of the orientation of spatial-numerical association. Here, we discuss why both objections are unfounded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Rugani
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova.,Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento
| | | | | | - Lucia Regolin
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova
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Gazes RP, Diamond RFL, Hope JM, Caillaud D, Stoinski TS, Hampton RR. Spatial representation of magnitude in gorillas and orangutans. Cognition 2017; 168:312-319. [PMID: 28772188 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Humans mentally represent magnitudes spatially; we respond faster to one side of space when processing small quantities and to the other side of space when processing large quantities. We determined whether spatial representation of magnitude is a fundamental feature of primate cognition by testing for such space-magnitude correspondence in gorillas and orangutans. Subjects picked the larger quantity in a pair of dot arrays in one condition, and the smaller in another. Response latencies to the left and right sides of the screen were compared across the magnitude range. Apes showed evidence of spatial representation of magnitude. While all subjects did not adopt the same orientation, apes showed consistent tendencies for spatial representations within individuals and systematically reversed these orientations in response to reversal of the task instruction. Results suggest that spatial representation of magnitude is phylogenetically ancient and that consistency in the orientation of these representations in humans is likely culturally mediated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Paxton Gazes
- Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States; Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, United States.
| | - Rachel F L Diamond
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jasmine M Hope
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Damien Caillaud
- Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Anthropology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Tara S Stoinski
- Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States; Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Robert R Hampton
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Number-space associations without language: Evidence from preverbal human infants and non-human animal species. Psychon Bull Rev 2017; 24:352-369. [PMID: 27488555 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-016-1126-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that humans describe and think of numbers as being represented in a spatial configuration, known as the 'mental number line'. The orientation of this representation appears to depend on the direction of writing and reading habits present in a given culture (e.g., left-to-right oriented in Western cultures), which makes this factor an ideal candidate to account for the origins of the spatial representation of numbers. However, a growing number of studies have demonstrated that non-verbal subjects (preverbal infants and non-human animals) spontaneously associate numbers and space. In this review, we discuss evidence showing that pre-verbal infants and non-human animals associate small numerical magnitudes with short spatial extents and left-sided space, and large numerical magnitudes with long spatial extents and right-sided space. Together this evidence supports the idea that a more biologically oriented view can account for the origins of the 'mental number line'. In this paper, we discuss this alternative view and elaborate on how culture can shape a core, fundamental, number-space association.
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Abstract
Humans show a remarkable tendency to describe and think of numbers as being placed on a mental number line (MNL), with smaller numbers located on the left and larger ones on the right. Faster responses to small numbers are indeed performed on the left side of space, while responses to large numbers are facilitated on the right side of space (spatial-numerical association of response codes, SNARC effect). This phenomenon is considered the experimental demonstration of the MNL and has been extensively replicated throughout a variety of paradigms. Nevertheless, the majority of previous literature has mainly investigated this effect by means of response times and accuracy, whereas studies considering more subtle and automatic measures such as kinematic parameters are rare (e.g., in a reaching-to-grasp movement, the grip aperture is enlarged in responding to larger numbers than in responding to small numbers). In this brief review we suggest that numerical magnitude can also affect the what and how of action execution (i.e., temporal and spatial components of movement). This evidence could have large implications in the strongly debated issue concerning the effect of experience and culture on the orientation of MNL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Rugani
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy
| | - Luisa Sartori
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy
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11
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Rugani R, Vallortigara G, Regolin L. Mapping number to space in the two hemispheres of the avian brain. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 133:13-18. [PMID: 27246250 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Pre-verbal infants and non-human animals associate small numbers with the left space and large numbers with the right space. Birds and primates, trained to identify a given position in a sagittal series of identical positions, whenever required to respond on a left/right oriented series, referred the given position starting from the left end. Here, we extended this evidence by selectively investigating the role of either cerebral hemisphere, using the temporary monocular occlusion technique. In birds, lacking the corpus callosum, visual input is fed mainly to the contralateral hemisphere. We trained 4-day-old chicks to identify the 4th element in a sagittal series of 10 identical elements. At test, the series was identical but left/right oriented. Test was conducted in right monocular, left monocular or binocular condition of vision. Right monocular chicks pecked at the 4th right element; left monocular and binocular chicks pecked at the 4th left element. Data on monocular chicks demonstrate that both hemispheres deal with an ordinal (sequential) task. Data on binocular chicks indicate that the left bias is linked to a right hemisphere dominance, that allocates the attention toward the left hemispace. This constitutes a first step towards understanding the neural basis of number space mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Rugani
- Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy; Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | | | - Lucia Regolin
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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12
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Rugani R, Vallortigara G, Priftis K, Regolin L. Piece of Evidence. Commentary: Ancestral Mental Number Lines: What Is the Evidence? Front Psychol 2016; 7:553. [PMID: 27148154 PMCID: PMC4840618 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Rugani
- Department of General Psychology, University of PadovaPadova, Italy; Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of TrentoRovereto, Italy
| | | | | | - Lucia Regolin
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova Padova, Italy
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