Results of the Object Permanence test
During the sensorimotor stage children (aged 0-2) gain an understanding of object permanence. Children comprehend that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be observed. I tested this with the goats these past two weeks to see if they share the cognitive skill of object permanence with young children. If the goats searched for the food, after it was hidden away/ out of sight, they have some level of understanding of object permanence. They recognize that once an object is not visible, it has not disappeared.
Procedure: Getting the opportunity to work with the goats is always one of the best parts of my week! Before starting the experiment, I greeted my farm pals and shared some of the snacks I brought for them (They do love bananas!).
To start the experiment, I showed the goats a new banana and then hid it behind a recycling bin (I did not use buckets this time because they already associate food with buckets. Using something they already associate with food could give inaccurate results).
I first tried the experiment with Betsy (one of the does). I showed her the banana and even let her have another bite before I hid it behind a recycling bucket. Even though she had realized it had disappeared, she showed little interest in looking for it. She would begin to look and then shortly give up. Even with the incentive of food she was quite distracted. Betsy has always been a bit skiddish, and today seemed nervous to come near me. After a few trials, I decided to try it with her kids instead.
To start the experiment, I showed the goats a new banana and then hid it behind a recycling bin (I did not use buckets this time because they already associate food with buckets. Using something they already associate with food could give inaccurate results).
I first tried the experiment with Betsy (one of the does). I showed her the banana and even let her have another bite before I hid it behind a recycling bucket. Even though she had realized it had disappeared, she showed little interest in looking for it. She would begin to look and then shortly give up. Even with the incentive of food she was quite distracted. Betsy has always been a bit skiddish, and today seemed nervous to come near me. After a few trials, I decided to try it with her kids instead.
I repeated the same procedure with the kids who seemed to be more curious and willing to participate. Once again, I showed them to the bananas and then hid them behind the bin.
Rather than being skiddish, like Betsy, the kids seemed distracted by other elements such as the other goats, each other, myself and even the new banana snacks they were trying. I modified the experiment by hiding it behind my back to see if that would alter the results. However, they didn't seem to grasp the concept to look behind me for their snacks.
Rather than being skiddish, like Betsy, the kids seemed distracted by other elements such as the other goats, each other, myself and even the new banana snacks they were trying. I modified the experiment by hiding it behind my back to see if that would alter the results. However, they didn't seem to grasp the concept to look behind me for their snacks.
I was initially a bit surprised by my results considering that goats are skilled at searching and finding food despite obstacles. But, as with any experiment, uncontrollable factors/variables including distractions, influence the outcome. I will modify this experiment and attempt it again to see if I get different results.
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