Octopus learn by imitating

1992/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Zoologia

A research group in Naples has shown that cephalopods learn by observing others. In a way, the imitation of a model would be more prior to conceptualization. So far, it was thought that such behaviors only existed among vertebrates.

Researchers first taught octopus to attack red or white balls at the aquarium. If the color needed was attacked, they were given the prize. And if the selection was not necessary, they were given an electric shot. Later unstudied octopus were placed with experienced octopus.

After the test period (4 tests), unstudied octopuses were tested for selection.

As a result of these tests it was found that octopuses were up to 70%. It became clear that observational teaching was more effective than that of reward/punishment, since in this way the correct options were only 51%.

It was concluded that cephalopods can learn by observing. If the nervous system of these invertebrates presents some analogy with respect to vertebrates, and since the research will advance, in the coming months we can obtain surprising information.