Spatial cognition: Where are we? Cognitive mapping or associative learning?

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Clyde Young
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Integrated into a cognitive map? Selectively, like stimuli in conditioning? All learned at once, in parallel? Ecology and species differences in spatial learning Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.

1 Spatial cognition: Where are we? Cognitive mapping: what is it and do any animals have it? Alternative: Specific orientation mechanisms Response (habit) learning Path integration (Dead reckoning) Using landmarks Beacons Geometry How is information from these combined? Integrated into a cognitive map? Selectively, like stimuli in conditioning? All learned at once, in parallel? Ecology and species differences in spatial learning Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 1 Cognitive mapping or associative learning? Cognitive maps Integrate all spatial information New information can always be added Associations among stimuli Cues compete (overshadowing) New redundant cues not learned (blocking) So do overshadowing and blocking occur with spatial cues? Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 2 Does beacon learning block landmark learning? Beacon + LMs Landmarks alone (Visible platform) Beacon alone The beacon blocks learning about the added (redundant) landmarks

2 Do different kinds of spatial information always compete? Landmark learning and geometry LM + Geometry Geometry alone Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 4 Training with Landmark + Geometry % correct Group trial block Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 5 Errors during training 80 Proportion of Errors Both groups make mostly geometric errors Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 6

Test geometry alone 100 % geometrically correct 80 60 40 20 0 No evidence that the landmark blocks geometry Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 7 Does path integration block beacon learning?

3 Test geometry alone 100 % geometrically correct No evidence that the landmark blocks geometry Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 7 Does path integration block beacon learning? Rats homing with food Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 8 Beacon learning and path integration go on together Training Move beacon 45º: Beacon was learned Remove beacon: they use path integration Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 9

So does path integration block beacon learning?

1 slide 10 Conclusion: Different kinds of spatial information interact in different ways Beacons and landmarks do

e (i.e. show overshadowing and blocking) The geometric module and path integration do not e with learning visual

4 So does path integration block beacon learning? Beacon + Path integration Test Beacon Control group Path integration alone group Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 10 Conclusion: Different kinds of spatial information interact in different ways Beacons and landmarks do compete (i.e. show overshadowing and blocking) The geometric module and path integration do not compete with learning visual cues: why? Geometry and path integration get the animal oriented Information from landmarks or beacons is added gradually. Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 11 Something to think about: Maybe better places to look for cognitive maps? Meerkats Honeybees Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 12

The ecological approach to spatial cognition: Population, sex, and species differences in memory 4 Food storing birds Compared to other birds (earlier lectures) Different populations of chickadees

1 slide 13 Mating systems and spatial behavior Monogamy: male and female share a territory Polygyny: Male has bigger territory, visits lots of females Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.

5 The ecological approach to spatial cognition: Population, sex, and species differences in memory 4 Food storing birds Compared to other birds (earlier lectures) Different populations of chickadees (reading) Voles Sex and species differences related to territory size Cowbirds Sex differences and nesting behavior Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 13 Mating systems and spatial behavior Monogamy: male and female share a territory Polygyny: Male has bigger territory, visits lots of females Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 14 Mating systems and spatial behavior in voles Meadow voles Polygynous, Male has bigger territory Male should be better at spatial learning than female Prairie voles Monogamous, shared territory Male and female spatial learning abilities should be the same Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 15

Test both species on a series of mazes: # errors to learn Breeding system predicts behavior and hippocampus size Sex differences only in breeding season Psy

1 slide 16 Nesting behavior and sex differences in brownheaded cowbirds Parasites: Lay their eggs in other birds nests Only females search for suitable nests

6 Test both species on a series of mazes: # errors to learn Breeding system predicts behavior and hippocampus size Sex differences only in breeding season Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 16 Nesting behavior and sex differences in brownheaded cowbirds Parasites: Lay their eggs in other birds nests Only females search for suitable nests Need to remember locations of many nests Female s hippocampus bigger than male s Not true in a closely related non-parasite (red winged blackbird) Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 17 The term test -- next Thursday, Feb. 15 In room 2117 Sid Smith (a big lecture hall) On all readings and lectures from the beginning Several kinds of questions likely: Terms and definitions What will happen and why? Short (less than 1 page) essay Office Hours: Right now! Weds AM, Sid Smith 504 (PGSA Lounge) Weds PM, Sid Smith 6048 Please take advantage of these if you have questions Psy 362S 2007, Lecture 6.1 slide 18

Topics for this week. Why is conditioning in a course on cognition?

Topics for this week. Why is conditioning in a course on cognition? Topics for this week Today: What do animals learn in conditioning? Conditioning and memory. On Thursday: Introduction to spatial learning (films) Psy 362 2007 lecture 4.1 slide 1 Why is conditioning in