英美最新研究發(fā)現(xiàn),，預(yù)習(xí)的作用在人類“近親”長(zhǎng)臂猿身上存在性別差異，其對(duì)雌性長(zhǎng)臂猿作用較大,，而對(duì)雄性則沒(méi)有正面效果,。這項(xiàng)發(fā)現(xiàn)或許有助研究人類在學(xué)習(xí)中的性別差異。
英國(guó)阿伯泰大學(xué)研究人員和美國(guó)同行在新一期《動(dòng)物認(rèn)知》雜志上報(bào)告說(shuō),，他們讓一些長(zhǎng)臂猿接受用工具獲取食物的測(cè)試,。其中一些長(zhǎng)臂猿在測(cè)試前有機(jī)會(huì)接觸測(cè)試中用到的工具，相當(dāng)于提前練習(xí),，但在此期間使用工具沒(méi)有任何回報(bào),；其他長(zhǎng)臂猿則在測(cè)試時(shí)才開(kāi)始接觸工具，如果使用恰當(dāng)就可以用它來(lái)獲取食物,。
結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn),，雌性長(zhǎng)臂猿會(huì)從預(yù)習(xí)中獲得很大收益，提前接觸工具的雌性長(zhǎng)臂猿在測(cè)試中成功利用工具獲取食物的時(shí)間相對(duì)較短,，而那些測(cè)試時(shí)才接觸工具的雌性長(zhǎng)臂猿要花3倍時(shí)間才能做到這一點(diǎn),。研究人員認(rèn)為這是因?yàn)榇菩蚤L(zhǎng)臂猿肩負(fù)哺育后代等職責(zé)，對(duì)陌生事物表現(xiàn)更為謹(jǐn)慎,，而如果之前有過(guò)接觸,，就會(huì)大大縮短成功使用工具的時(shí)間。
但在雄性長(zhǎng)臂猿中,，不僅沒(méi)有觀察到類似效果,，那些提前接觸工具的雄性長(zhǎng)臂猿在正式測(cè)試中反而經(jīng)過(guò)更長(zhǎng)時(shí)間才去拿工具并用其獲取食物,。這說(shuō)明雄性長(zhǎng)臂猿對(duì)已經(jīng)熟悉的東西不怎么感興趣，而更愿意嘗試新鮮事物,。
領(lǐng)導(dǎo)研究的克萊爾·坎寧安博士說(shuō),，這是一個(gè)令人驚訝的發(fā)現(xiàn)，之前沒(méi)有想到長(zhǎng)臂猿在學(xué)習(xí)模式上存在如此顯著的性別差異,。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推薦原文出處：
Animal Cognition DOI: 10.1007/s10071-011-0380-y
A sex difference in effect of prior experience on object-mediated problem-solving in gibbons
Clare Cunningham, James Anderson and Alan Mootnick
Understanding the functionally relevant properties of objects is likely facilitated by learning with a critical role for past experience. However, current evidence is conflicting regarding the effect of prior object exposure on acquisition of object manipulation skills. This may be due to the influence of life history variables on the capacity to benefit from such experience. This study assessed effect of task-relevant object exposure on object-mediated problem-solving in 22 gibbons using a raking-in task. Despite not using tools habitually, 14 gibbons spontaneously used a rake to obtain a reward. Having prior experience with the rake in an unrewarded context did not improve learning efficiency in males. However, females benefitted significantly from the opportunity to interact with the rake before testing, with reduced latencies to solution compared to those with no previous exposure. These results reflect potential sex differences in approach to novelty that moderate the possible benefits of prior experience. Due to their relatively high energetic requirements, reproductively active females may be highly motivated to explore potential resources; however, increased investment in developing offspring could make them more guarded in their investigations. Previous exposure that allows females to learn of an object’s neutrality can offset this cautious exploration.
Keywords Gibbons – Object experience – Problem-solving – Sex differences
