英美最新研究發(fā)現(xiàn)，預(yù)習的作用在人類“近親”長臂猿身上存在性別差異,，其對雌性長臂猿作用較大，而對雄性則沒有正面效果。這項發(fā)現(xiàn)或許有助研究人類在學(xué)習中的性別差異,。
英國阿伯泰大學(xué)研究人員和美國同行在新一期《動物認知》雜志上報告說，他們讓一些長臂猿接受用工具獲取食物的測試,。其中一些長臂猿在測試前有機會接觸測試中用到的工具,，相當于提前練習，但在此期間使用工具沒有任何回報,；其他長臂猿則在測試時才開始接觸工具,，如果使用恰當就可以用它來獲取食物。
結(jié)果發(fā)現(xiàn),，雌性長臂猿會從預(yù)習中獲得很大收益,，提前接觸工具的雌性長臂猿在測試中成功利用工具獲取食物的時間相對較短，而那些測試時才接觸工具的雌性長臂猿要花3倍時間才能做到這一點,。研究人員認為這是因為雌性長臂猿肩負哺育后代等職責,，對陌生事物表現(xiàn)更為謹慎，而如果之前有過接觸,，就會大大縮短成功使用工具的時間,。
但在雄性長臂猿中,，不僅沒有觀察到類似效果，那些提前接觸工具的雄性長臂猿在正式測試中反而經(jīng)過更長時間才去拿工具并用其獲取食物,。這說明雄性長臂猿對已經(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,，這是一個令人驚訝的發(fā)現(xiàn),，之前沒有想到長臂猿在學(xué)習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
