591.5 2Q^ 



VII 



Animal Intelligence as an Experimental Study 



THE investigation of the problems suggested by the observable 

 phenomena of instinct and intelligence in animals is passing— 

 we may now say has passed, — into the experimental stage. The col- 

 lection of anecdotes, useful enough for preparing the ground and (as 

 Time's irony has shown) for enabling one to perceive the insecurity 

 of any such basis for reliable conclusions, has had its day. It is 

 realized by serious students that, not only for the interpretation but 

 also for the observation of the phenomena, if they are to serve the 

 ends of science, some real training and discipline in psychology are 

 essential. Dog-stories and cat-stories though often full of subtle 

 humour and though not infrequently revealing an affectionate and 

 imaginative nature, serve rather to tickle the fancy than to appeal 

 to the rational faculties. It is not on such foundations, nor with 

 such materials, that a science of comparative psychology can be 

 securely built. Observations ad hoc by an investigator trained ad 

 hoc, will always carry weight. But the casual jottings of well 

 meaning though un instructed people serve rather to check than to 

 forward the diffusion of exact knowledge. 



Mr E. L. Thorndike in a monograph on " Animal Intelligence " 

 published as a supplement to the Psychological Review (June 1898) 

 has approached his subject in the right way, as one full of difficult 

 problems to be grasped, faced, and if possible solved, and has 

 furnished an experimental basis, narrow perhaps, but capable of 

 further extension for the conclusions that he draws. I have 

 briefly noticed his work elsewhere {Nature, July 14th, 1898); but 

 I regard it as of sufficient importance to justify a more extended 

 presentation and consideration here. 



The subjects (one might, alas ! almost say victims) of Mr 

 Thornd ike's experiments — or those to which the exigences of space 

 compel us to confine our attention — were thirteen kittens or cats 

 from three to eighteen months old. His method of investigation 

 shall be stated in his own words. 



"After considerable preliminary observation of animals' behaviour under 

 various conditions, I chose for my general method one which, simple as it is, 

 possesses several other marked advantages besides those which accompany experi- 

 ment of any sort. It was merely to put animals when hungry in enclosures from 

 which they could escape by some simple act, such as pulling at ^ loop of cord, 



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