Cued repetition of self-directed behaviors in macaques (Macaca nemestrina)

Abstract

Two macaques were trained to perform three self-directed behaviors on signal, and to repeat behaviors after a ‘repeat’ signal. The cognitive processes underlying the monkeys’ repeat performance were evaluated using multiple repetitions of the repeat signal, extended delay periods between target behavior and repeat signal, and by transferring the repeat signal to novel behaviors. The monkeys appear to have used representations of their own past behaviors as a basis for repetition performance, but they mostly failed to correctly repeat target behaviors after extended delays and during transfer tasks. Implications for episodic memory abilities are discussed.