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Cited by 74Memory Processes and InfluencesHuman-Animal Interaction StudiesMemory and Neural Mechanisms

Recall of Others’ Actions after Incidental Encoding Reveals Episodic-like Memory in Dogs

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Fugazza, Claudia, Pogány, Ákos, Miklósi, Ádám·2016·Current Biology
DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2016.09.057
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Abstract

The existence of episodic memory in non-human animals is a debated topic that has been investigated using different methodologies that reflect diverse theoretical approaches to its definition. A fundamental feature of episodic memory is recalling after incidental encoding, which can be assessed if the recall test is unexpected [1]. We used a modified version of the "Do as I Do" method [2], relying on dogs' ability to imitate human actions, to test whether dogs can rely on episodic memory when recalling others' actions from the past. Dogs were first trained to imitate human actions on command. Next, they were trained to perform a simple training exercise (lying down), irrespective of the previously demonstrated action. This way, we substituted their expectation to be required to imitate with the expectation to be required to lie down. We then tested whether dogs recalled the demonstrated actions by unexpectedly giving them the command to imitate, instead of lying down. Dogs were tested with a short (1 min) and a long (1 hr) retention interval. They were able to recall the demonstrated actions after both intervals; however, their performance declined more with time compared to conditions in which imitation was expected. These findings show that dogs recall past events as complex as human actions even if they do not expect the memory test, providing evidence for episodic-like memory. Dogs offer an ideal model to study episodic memory in non-human species, and this methodological approach allows investigating memory of complex, context-rich events. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

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  • Some studies use non-natural methodological elements to test for episodic-like memory, such as pecking or approaching shapes or coloured panels, or requiring subjects to recall their own or others' previous actions out of an array of behaviours.

    “Some studies, however, use non-natural methodological elements to test for episodic-like memory [75], such as pecking or approaching certain shapes or coloured panels that are presented in front of the subjects [56,78–81], or requiring subjects to recall their own or others’ previous actions out of an array of behaviours [95,96].”

    From Is episodic-like memory <i>like</i> episodic memory? (2024) · cites this paper as [96]

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Authors
Fugazza, C., Pogány, Á., & Miklósi, Á.
Affiliations
Eötvös Loránd University (HU)
Corresponding author
Fugazza, Claudia
ORCID
Venue
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-12
Volume
26
Issue
23
Pages
3209-3213
ISSN
0960-9822 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cub.2016.09.057
OpenAlex
W2555649743
Cited by
74
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 1
FWCI
4.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
episodic-like memory, dogs, incidental encoding, retention interval, animal cognition
MeSH terms
Animals, Attention, Behavior, Animal, Dogs, Humans, Imitative Behavior, Memory, Mental Recall, Retention, Psychology

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