Cognitive Flexibility and Sociality in Guinea Baboons
Author Information
Author(s): Julie Gullstrand, Nicolas Claidière, Joël Fagot
Primary Institution: Centre de Recherche en Psychologie et Neurosciences, CNRS UMR 7077, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
Hypothesis
Is there a relationship between cognitive flexibility and the position of individuals within their social group?
Conclusion
The study found that the most central baboons in their social network are those with the best performance in cognitive flexibility.
Supporting Evidence
- The study confirms that cognitive flexibility is age-dependent in baboons.
- Adult baboons performed better in cognitive tasks than younger and older baboons.
- Centrality in social networks correlates with cognitive flexibility performance.
Takeaway
This study shows that baboons who are better at thinking flexibly are also more popular in their social groups.
Methodology
The study re-analyzed data from 18 Guinea baboons tested over two years using a computerized adaptation of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task.
Limitations
The sample size may not be sufficient to detect subtle relationships between rank and cognitive flexibility.
Participant Demographics
18 Guinea baboons (6 males and 12 females) aged between 31 to 292 months.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0015
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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