Cylinder test experiment

At reference 1, MacLean and his colleagues report testing some 500 animals from some 35 species on something called the cylinder test. A test which involves seeing how an animal goes about getting food out of an open ended transparent cylinder. Clever animals remember that the way in is at one of the ends and are not distracted by being able to see the food through the sides of the cylinder.

A extended film clip showing some of the animals at work is provided at reference 2.

On the basis of a further 30 second experiment, I can now report that an 18 month old takes some persuading that a sliding lid is slid into the side of a box rather than pushed onto or into the top, in the way of proper boxes. Clearly something to be repeated at regular intervals to see when this bit of the brain kicks in.

Reference 1: The evolution of self-control - Evan L. MacLean and others – 2014. Open access.

Reference 2: http://movie-usa.glencoesoftware.com/video/10.1073/pnas.1323533111/video-2.