Word learning in a domestic dog: evidence for "fast mapping".

Bibliographic Collection:

MOCA Reference, APE

Publication Type: Journal Article

Authors: Kaminski, Juliane; Call, Josep; Fischer, Julia

Year of Publication: 2004

Journal: Science

Volume: 304

Issue: 5677

Pagination: 1682-3

Date Published: 2004 Jun 11

Publication Language: eng

ISSN: 1095-9203

Keywords: Animals, Dogs, Learning, Male, Memory, Random Allocation, Vocabulary

Abstract:

During speech acquisition, children form quick and rough hypotheses about the meaning of a new word after only a single exposure-a process dubbed "fast mapping." Here we provide evidence that a border collie, Rico, is able to fast map. Rico knew the labels of over 200 different items. He inferred the names of novel items by exclusion learning and correctly retrieved those items right away as well as 4 weeks after the initial exposure. Fast mapping thus appears to be mediated by general learning and memory mechanisms also found in other animals and not by a language acquisition device that is special to humans.

DOI: 10.1126/science.1097859

Custom 1:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15192233?dopt=Abstract

Alternate Journal: Science

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