Numerical Cognition in Fish and Humans

The video explores the concept of numerosity in animals, focusing on fish. It discusses historical research on animal number cognition, particularly in corvids, and recent studies on fish. The research shows that fish, like humans, have different systems for small and large number perception. Experiments demonstrate fish can distinguish between different numbers, despite challenges in controlling variables. The findings have implications for understanding the evolution of numerical cognition in humans.

What is the term used to describe the ability to understand the number of objects in a display?

• Numerosity

• Quantification

• Enumeration

• Calculation

Who was the German ethologist that demonstrated corvids' number sense before World War II?

• Konrad Lorenz

• Otto Koehler

• Karl von Frisch

• Nikolaas Tinbergen

What natural behavior of small fish is used to test their counting abilities in laboratories?

• Hunting in packs

• Swimming in shoals

• Building nests

• Migrating in groups

In the experiments, what was the main difference observed between small and large number perception in fish?

• Fish showed a ratio effect for large numbers but not for small numbers.

• Fish showed no difference in perception between small and large numbers.

• Fish could not perceive numbers at all.

• Fish showed a ratio effect for small numbers but not for large numbers.

What is the ratio effect observed in numerical cognition?

• The larger the numbers, the harder the comparison

• The closer the numbers, the easier the comparison

• The smaller the numbers, the easier the comparison

• The bigger the difference between numbers, the easier the comparison

What was the main finding regarding fish's ability to perceive numbers?

• Fish can only perceive numbers up to 3

• Fish show no ability to perceive numbers

• Fish can only perceive numbers in the wild

• Fish have both small and large number systems like humans

How do researchers ensure that fish are responding to numbers and not just the size of the shoal?

• By using sound cues

• By changing the water temperature

• By balancing the number of fish with larger fish on one side

• By using different colored fish

What is one method used in experiments to train fish to recognize numbers?

• Using light flashes

• Using sound signals

• Using different water currents

• Using blobs above a gate

What challenge do researchers face when trying to determine if fish are using number sense?

• Fish are too fast to observe

• Fish might respond to shoal volume instead of number

• Fish prefer to swim alone

• Fish cannot be trained

Why is it important to understand the mathematical cognition of guppies?

• To create better aquarium environments

• To develop new fishing methods

• To understand the capacities inherited by the human brain

• To improve fish farming techniques