Dolphin Problem Solving
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
3-1-2012
School
Psychology
Abstract
This chapter explores the problem-solving capabilities of bottlenose dolphins. It first considers the nature of problem solving, followed by two cases (dolphin “syntax” and dolphin “pointing”) in which dolphins derived strategies in response to problems posed to them by humans. Although neither of these studies was designed to directly study problem solving, the dolphins’ solutions to the problems they encountered revealed the types of strategies that they spontaneously employed. The chapter next summarizes a series of studies designed to assess the extent to which dolphins can plan their behavior when confronted with novel problems far removed from those they might encounter in their everyday experience. Finally, the chapter presents recent findings on dolphin play and considers the role of play in the emergence of problem-solving skills.
Publication Title
The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Cognition
First Page
736
Last Page
756
Recommended Citation
Kuczaj, S. A.,
Walker, R. T.
(2012). Dolphin Problem Solving. The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Cognition, 736-756.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/20867
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