sandbook49

Alex the African Grey Parrot When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and purchased a haughty one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex, she began a 30-year research project that changed how we perceive avian intelligence. Her research with Alex challenged the common belief birds could only mimic human language without understanding the meaning. What is Alex? Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was initially an African grey parrot that was purchased from a pet store. Through his lifetime, 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 of the most famous talking bird in the world, until his death in 2007. He appeared on television shows and scientific reportages. Alex was able to identify the shapes, colors and materials as well as the quantity of objects. He was able comprehend the meanings of words which is an uncommon feat for birds. For instance, if he heard the word “grape” he would know that it was a fruit and not a vegetable. This was due to the way 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 by receiving the object that was associated with the word. Another intriguing aspect of the method she trained Alex was that she taught him the meaning behind words, not just the sounds. This was a novel approach as pet parrots typically only learn words for their novelty. When owners use certain words but they don't actually mean what they are saying. However with Alex who spoke an exact word, he was really meaning what he was saying. Many people are enthralled by the fact that Alex could acquire so much, some scientists have argued that it was unfair to compare Alex to humans in terms of intelligence. They pointed out that although Alex could communicate, he wasn't proficient in using logic phrases like “if you do x, then y.” Although this is still controversial however, the fact is that Alex set the stage for studies into animal intelligence and consciousness. Alex was among the world's most famous talkative parrots up until his death in 2007 at the age 31. What was Alex like? Alex was an extremely violent member of a gang that enjoyed brutal acts. He was a popular character despite his violent tendencies and seemed to enjoy his power over his fellow hoodlums. He was a narcissist to two things in his life which was violence and classical music, specifically Beethoven, whose songs always evoked images of blood and depravity for him. He and his group would drink milk that was laced with drugs to prepare themselves for “ultraviolence.” Alex's experience as a parrot in the pet shop was not exceptional but it served him well. He was quick to grasp concepts and words from his human trainer, Irene Pepperberg. Her thirty-year study of him changed the way we think about animal cognition and communication. She was credited by Alex for helping her learn to employ the model, which proved effective in other animals and children with learning disabilities. Dr. Pepperberg continued her research with other parrots, including Wart and Griffin. She is a professor now at the University of Washington, where she continues her pioneering work with birds. Alex is the tiniest member of the group and is the most childlike. She is a bit of a tween and has been described by others as being ticklish. She is also the biggest animal lover in the group. She often acts as peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they get into meaningless squabbles (such as in “Abductions”). Alex has an extremely self-assured sense of identity which she utilizes to manipulate other people. This has led her to get into conflicts with other gang members, including her longtime foe Gigi who she blames for spilling a juice on her blanket when she was a child (“Mime World”) She also has developed an Emo/Goth-like personality and loves dressing in black and writing deep poems about love and loss (“Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands”). The show's writers have cited that her most favorite song is by Seth MacFarlane and she once was a lover of his. What was Alex like in terms of intelligence? Alex, the African grey parrot that Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, could have appeared to be just another pet. But over the next 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology by showing that birds are not just “rabbit brains.” Alex was a skilled talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time at an animal store. He was able to categorize and identify objects, and identify and request them. He could also express emotions such as when he was feeling bored or frustrated during training sessions. He would let this be known to his trainers by putting his head on his cage or yelling loudly, “I want a banana.” Alex's brain is so sophisticated that he can understand and classify objects such as their colors, shapes, and materials. He could also tell the distinction between the plastic bag and a wooden box, and also count and compare quantities of different items. In fact, he even knew the concept of zero, something humans don't usually grasp until the age of four! Alex's skills were impressive as unlike other parrots, he understood what he said. He could use his more than 100 words to describe, ask and deny objects as well as describe the sizes and types of materials. He even exhibited an understanding of analogies and could recognize the written form of words – though he didn't seem to connect these with spoken counterparts. Parrots are the majority of birds that learn words, but don't understand their meaning. Pepperberg and her assistants acted out scenarios that included the object they wanted Alex to master. This technique is known as the rival model and has become a popular method of teaching animals. Alex was not just an intelligent dog but also a fun friend who loved to play with his owners. He was often an adviser and cheerleader during training sessions, urging or encouraging them to do better. He was also extremely observant and was able to recognize the emotions of his human companions. baby african grey parrot would jump into his owner's arms when she was smiling, and then cling to her legs if she was sad or upset. What was the impact of Alex's actions? In his short time on earth, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testimony to his strength of character and determination. He was an inspirational figure for many mountain climbers, travelers and those who wanted to live their lives on their own terms. He taught his students that you can accomplish anything if you set 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 throughout his journey. He had to face the loss of his father, financial problems, and adversity. He was able overcome every obstacle with his sheer determination and perseverance. He did not give up on his goal of becoming a mountain climber. He pushed on towards his goal, and eventually became one of the most renowned mountain climbers around the globe. Even after his death Alex continues to inspire people around the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about the life of Alex and his amazing climbing accomplishments. This film has received great critical acclaim, and is regarded as one of the greatest documentaries ever produced. It has also won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in the year 2019. Alex Pepperberg pioneered avian intelligence in addition to his work for Dr. Pepperberg. Alex was able to sing more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions. He was also capable of counting up to six object sets and showed math skills that were advanced in the time for birds. He was also able to communicate with other animals via sign language and had a solid understanding of grammar. He used an approach to training known as “rival model,” which involved two trainers demonstrating to the bird what they wanted to teach it. The trainers would switch positions often so that the bird was able to interact with them both and receive rewards and attention from each. After the success of Free Solo, Alex was given the title of National Hero by President Barack Obama in 2014. Alex was able to accomplish much in his lifetime due to his determination of character and determination to live life according to his own terms.