Did we find a copycat? Do as I Do in a domestic cat (Felis catus)

Claudia Fugazza,Andrea Sommese,Ákos Pogány,Ádám Miklósi

doi:10.1007/s10071-020-01428-6

Claudia Fugazza, Andrea Sommese + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-020-01428-6

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Abstract

This study shows evidence of a domestic cat (Felis catus) being able to successfully learn to reproduce human-demonstrated actions based on the Do as I Do paradigm. The subject was trained to reproduce a small set of familiar actions on command “Do it!” before the study began. To test feature–contingent behavioural similarity and control for stimulus enhancement, our test consisted of a modified version of the two-action procedure, combined with the Do as I Do paradigm. Instead of showing two different actions on an object to different subjects, we applied a within-subject design and showed the two actions to the same subject in separate trials. We show evidence that a well-socialized companion cat was able to reproduce actions demonstrated by a human model by reproducing two different actions that were demonstrated on the same object. Our experiment provides the first evidence that the Do as I Do paradigm can be applied to cats, suggesting that the ability to recognize behavioural similarity may fall within the range of the socio-cognitive skills of this species. The ability of reproducing the actions of a heterospecific human model in well-socialized cats may pave the way for future studies addressing cats’ imitative skills.

Highlights

Despite an increased research interest in understanding cat behaviour and cognition (e.g., Pongrácz et al 2019; Vitale Shreve et al, 2017a, 2015, very little is known )about various aspects of their socio-cognitive capacities
Out of the 17 trials analysed for object matching, the cat interacted with the object that was touched by the demonstrator in 11 trials (Binomial probability of interacting P = 0.166)
In 3 trials in which face-rubbing on the object was demonstrated, the cat responded by rubbing her face on the floor rather than on the object, and in 1 trial in which the demonstrator raised her hand to touch the object, the cat responded by raising her paw without approaching the object

Summary

Introduction

Despite an increased research interest in understanding cat behaviour and cognition (e.g., Pongrácz et al 2019; Vitale Shreve et al, 2017a, 2015, very little is known )about various aspects of their socio-cognitive capacities. The extant knowledge about social learning in cats typically involves learning how to obtain food from a conspecific demonstrator. Kittens were shown to be more likely to press a lever to obtain food if they observed their mother doing so. To some extent, this happened if they observed an unfamiliar conspecific (Chesler 1969). Similar to other early attempts to investigate social learning, this study is lacking the specific control conditions to separate imitation, emulation and stimulus enhancement.

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