Cognitive Zoology

We measure so-called fundamental cognitive functions. Such functions underly more specialized cognition and are often central for understanding the overall cognition of a species. Examples of such functions are learning and memory, but also inhibitory capacities as well as object cognition (the way one represents physical entities). Underlying functions also exist within the social cognitive domain, such as different forms of gaze-following, individual recognition, signaling and so on.

This type of research is often time consuming and requires the animals to be in a good mood and up for solving the tasks. Different species, even different individuals within species, can vary quite a bit. Ectotherm (cold blooded) animals are slower in general and do not eat much. On the other hand, endotherms (warm blooded) animals, especially birds, can be very quick and shift their attention in a blink of an eye. It is also important to take into account the diverse embodiments and sensory set ups of the different species, but at the same time keep in mind that dissimilarities in bodies and sense organs also result in differences in cognition. It requires a lot of pilot testing to arrive at the most comparable tasks. A majority of tests are also video-coded frame-by-frame to gain more information. Some studies can be conducted by collecting large amounts of video material of a species spontaneous everyday behaviors.