Category Archives: cognition & neuroscience

Fish and Peer Pressure

Behavioural plasticity across social contexts is regulated by the directionality of inter-individual differences – Guayasamin et al. 2016 Abstract: Behavioural heterogeneity of a group can alter its responsiveness, decision-making and fitness. This study observed whether pairing fish of varying personalities altered individual behavioural responses. Results were that the relative personality of the fish had anContinue reading “Fish and Peer Pressure”

Developmental cognition in fish

Ontogeny and personality affect inhibitory control in guppies, Poecilia reticulata – Savasci et al. 2021 Introduction: The ability to control behaviour and adapting it to current situations is a well researched area. This paper specifically looks at inhibitory control which is present across vertebrates. An example of this behaviour is placing a transparent barrier inContinue reading “Developmental cognition in fish”

Gotta Let The Brain Breathe

How well do we understand the neural origins of the fMRI BOLD signal? – Arthurs & Boniface, 2002 Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a very popular non-invasive tool used to image functionally active brain regions. They use the BOLD method which means blood oxygenation level-dependent and it relies on hemoglobin as the endogenous contrastContinue reading “Gotta Let The Brain Breathe”

Perfection without Practice

Motor timing learned without motor training – Meegan et al. 2000 Brief Communications Paper Normally when perceptual training is involved in learning, there is no generalization to similar tasks. Which means that the training is only beneficial when implemented with that specific task. However this study has found evidence that training in one form ofContinue reading “Perfection without Practice”

The Degrees of Contrafreeloading (Parrots)

Initial evidence for eliciting contrafreeloading in grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) via the opportunity for playful foraging – Smith et al., 2021 Abstract: Contrafreeloading is the choice to work for food rather than it be freely available. This study examines this aspect in parrots (n=4-5) and found that during the first experiment the subjects preferred contrafreeloading.Continue reading “The Degrees of Contrafreeloading (Parrots)”

Mob-Mentality

Collective rule-breaking – Krause et al. 2021 Abstract: This paper looks at how cognitive mechanisms involved with rule breaking at an individual level can be scaled upwards to understand how rule breaking then appears in social groups. Social Contagion (The spread of ideas, attitudes, or behaviour patterns in a group through imitation and conformity.) playsContinue reading “Mob-Mentality”

Finding Fireflies

The occurrence and behaviours of North American fireflies on milkweed – Faust & Faust, 2014 Introduction: Fireflies are chemically protected by steroidal pyrenes called lucibufagins which have cardio-toxic properties are similar to components found in milkweed and other plants. It is still unknown exactly where the fireflies accumulate this chemical. Some fireflies known as theContinue reading “Finding Fireflies”

Animals in Space

Animal models, open science and space omics – Neff, 2021 Introduction:Observing life in space is critical to understanding how to best navigate space especially with longer and longer trips being desired. Space is an extreme environment that reduces the mechanical stress felt by the body because of reduced gravity which can affect organs and leadContinue reading “Animals in Space”

Latent Inhibition

Latent Inhibition – Lubow, 1973 Introduction: Latent inhibition is defined as the decrement in learning performance which stems from the nonreinforced pre-exposure of a stimulus prior to conditioning with said stimulus, which slows the learning curve. Scope of Latent Inhibition Phenomenon: Distribution across species: this has been demonstrated in goldfish, goats, sheep, rabbits, dogs andContinue reading “Latent Inhibition”