Entrada del blog por Penni Preece
Irene Pepperberg, an animal psychologist, purchased Alex in 1977 from a pet shop located on the Northwest Side. She began a 30-year study that would change our perception of avian intelligence. Her study with Alex challenged the notion that birds could only mimic human speech without any understanding of meaning.
What is Alex?
At first, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was just an ordinary African grey parrot that was purchased from an animal store. Through his life, he broke new ground in the field of animal psychology and proved that animals are just as intelligent as primates or dolphins. Alex was one the most talked about talking birds around the globe until his death in 2007. He was a regular on TV shows and in scientific reports.
Alex was able to recognize colors, shapes and materials as well as the sizes of objects. Alex also understood the meaning behind words, a feat which was uncommon for birds. When he was able to hear "grape", he knew that it was not a vegetable, but a fruit. This was due to the method that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She and a colleague would role-play the roles of student and teacher. Alex observed and listened. He was rewarded for his correct pronunciation and definition with the object that went with the word.
She also taught Alex the meanings of words, rather than just the sounds. This was a groundbreaking method in the sense that it is usually the case that pet parrots are taught words for their novelty value only. The owners don't mean what they say when they use a specific word. However with Alex who spoke a certain word, he was really meaning what he was saying.
Some scientists argue that it is unfair to compare Alex with humans in terms of intelligence. They pointed out that while Alex could communicate, he wasn't proficient in using logic expressions like "if x then y."
Alex's work on animal intelligence and consciousness is controversial. When he died in 2007 at 31 years old, he was among the most well-known talking african grey parrot for sale parrots in the history of the world.
What was Alex's personality like?
Alex was an infamous member of a gang who was a fan of brutal acts. He was a likeable character despite his violent tendencies, and seemed to enjoy his power over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to two things in his life: violence and classical music, especially Beethoven and his songs, which always evoked images of blood and depravity to him. He also had a habit of drinking milk spiked with drugs, which his gangmates and he would then use to fortify themselves for their "ultraviolence."
Alex's humble beginnings as an African Grey parrot at a pet store was a great help. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer, was able to teach him words and concepts quickly. Her research on him over the course of 30 years revolutionized theories of animal cognition, communication, and interaction. She was credited by Alex for helping her learn to use the rival model that proved to be to be effective in other animals and children with learning disabilities.
After her collaboration with him Dr. Pepperberg went on to conduct studies with other parrots like Wart and Griffin. She is now a professor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering work with birds.
Alex is the tiniest member of the group and the most playful. She is a little more of a tween and is described as very ticklish. She is also the largest animal fan in the group. She is often the one who makes peace when Clover and Sam get into meaningless arguments (such as "Abductions")
Alex has a strong opinion of who she is, which she uses to manipulate others. This has led to her getting into fights with other gang members, such as her longtime enemy Gigi, whom she blames for spilling a juice on her blanket when she was when she was a kid ("Mime World") She also has developed a Goth/Emo-style persona. She loves wearing black and write long poems about loss, love, and life ("Boy Bands will be Boy Bands"). The writers of the show have stated that Seth MacFarlane's track is her top choice and that she dated him.
What was Alex like in terms of intelligence?
Alex Alex, the buy african grey grey african parrot parrot Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, might have appeared to be another pet. Alex revolutionized the field of animal psychological research by proving that birds are more than "rabbit minds."
Alex was a seasoned talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for gizmo the grey parrot first time at the pet store. He could categorize and rename objects, and identify them and ask for them. He could also express his emotions such as when he was feeling bored or frustrated in training sessions. He would let his trainers know this by putting his chin on the cage, or shouting out loudly "I want a banana."
Alex's intelligence is so advanced that he can understand and classify objects such as their colors, shapes, and materials. He could also discern the difference between the plastic bag and a wooden box, and also determine the quantity of different items. In fact, he was able to comprehend the concept of zero, something that humans typically don't comprehend until about the age of four!
Alex's abilities were impressive because unlike other parrots, he understood what he said. He was adept at using his vocabulary of more than 100 words to describe requests, refuse, and objects, and also convey their dimensions and materials. He even showed an understanding of analogies and was able to recognize the written form of words - though he did not seem to connect them with their spoken versions.
Most parrots are taught words, but they don't understand the significance behind the meaning behind them. To teach Alex, Pepperberg and her assistants would create scenarios involving the object they wanted him to know about. This technique is referred to as the rival model and has become a common method of teaching animals.
Alex was not just a dog with a high cognitive capacity, but also a playful friend who loved playing with his owners. He was often a mentor and cheerleader during training sessions. He would encourage his owners or remind them to do better. He was also very observant and was able to recognize the emotions of his human companions. He would leap into his owner's arm when she was happy, and hold her leg when she was unhappy or sad.
What was Alex's influence?
In his short time on earth, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testament to his strength of determination and character. He was an inspiration to many mountain climbers, travelers, and people who aspired to live life on their own terms. He taught them you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that if you do not focus on what others think about your character, you will achieve excellence.
Chris/Alex faced many challenges on his journey. He had to face the loss of his father, financial hardships and even adversity. He was able overcome all of these challenges by his sheer determination and perseverance. He never gave up his dream of becoming an accomplished mountain climber. He continued to work towards his goal, and eventually became one of the most renowned mountain climbers around the globe.
Even after his passing, he continues to inspire people across the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about Alex's life and incredible climbing achievements. This film has received lots of critical acclaim, and is considered one of the best documentaries of all time. It has been awarded numerous awards including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature.
Alex Pepperberg was the first to develop bird intelligence in addition to his work for Dr. Pepperberg. He could perform more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions, was able to count sets of objects up to six, and demonstrate math skills that were quite advanced for birds at the time.
He was also able to communicate with other animals via sign language and had a good understanding of grammar. He utilized the method of training known as "rival model," which involved two trainers demonstrating to the bird what they wanted to learn. Trainers would frequently change positions so that the bird could interact with them and receive attention from each.
After the success of Free Solo, Alex was given the title of National Hero by President Barack Obama in 2014. He was able to accomplish many things throughout his life because of his determination to character and his determination to live life to his own terms.