Why Alex The African Grey Parrot Isn't As Easy As You Think
Alex the African Grey Parrot
When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and purchased an obnoxious one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex and started a 30-year study that altered the way we think about the intelligence of birds. Alex's research challenged the notion that birds could only imitate human language without understanding the meaning.
What is Alex?
Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was originally an African grey parrot purchased at a pet store. Over the course of his life, he forged new ground in animal psychology, and proved that animals are just as intelligent as primates or dolphins. In 2007 when he passed away, Alex was one of the most famous talking birds in the world, appearing on TV programs and scientific reports.
Alex was able to recognize the shapes, colors and materials, as well as the quantity of objects. Alex also understood the meanings behind words, a feat which was uncommon for birds. When he heard "grape" and he realized that it was not a plant but it was a fruit. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a manner that helped him comprehend the meaning of them. She and her assistant were able to play the roles of student and teacher and Alex was able to observe the actions and listened to the explanations. When he understood the correct pronunciation and meaning of the word the word, he was awarded the object that was associated with it.
Another fascinating aspect of the way that she taught Alex was that she taught him the meaning behind words rather than just the sounds. This was an innovative method because it's usually the case that pet parrots get taught words to be fun only. The owners don't mean what they say when they use a certain word. However in the case of Alex who spoke the word he was using, he was really meaning what he was saying.
Some scientists believe that it is not fair to compare Alex with humans in terms of intelligence. They pointed out that while Alex could communicate, he was not able to use logical phrases like "if there is x, then there is y."
Although see here now is still a matter of debate but the fact remains that Alex laid the groundwork for research into animal intelligence and consciousness. Alex was one of the world's most famous talkative parrots until his passing in 2007 at the age of 31.
What was Alex's personality like?
Alex was a violent bandit who loved to commit horrific acts of brutality. He was a likable character despite his violent tendencies and seemed to relish the power he had over his fellow hoodlums. He was a narcissist to two things in his life that was violence and classical music, specifically Beethoven and his songs, which always brought up images of blood and depravity for him. The gang would drink milk that was laced with drugs in order to prepare themselves for "ultraviolence."
Alex's non-remarkable experience as an African Grey parrot at a pet store helped him immensely. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer was able to teach him words and concepts quickly. Her research on him over the course of 30 years changed the theories of animal cognition, communication, and interaction. She is grateful to Alex with helping her learn how to apply the model that worked for other animals and children with learning disabilities.
After her collaboration with him Dr. Pepperberg went on to study other parrots like Wart and Griffin. She is now a professor at the University of Washington, where she continues her pioneering research with birds.
As the tiniest member of the gang, Alex is perhaps the most innocent. She's a tween and has been described by other members as being ticklish. She is also the biggest animal lover in the group. She is often the peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they get into irrelevant squabbles (such as in "Abductions").
Alex has a strong perception of herself and uses it as a tool to manipulate others. This has led to her getting into conflicts with other members of the gang, including her longtime foe Gigi, whom she blames for spilling juice on her blanket when she was when she was a kid ("Mime World") She has also developed a Goth/Emo personality. She loves to wear black clothing and write eloquent poems about love, loss and life ("Boy Bands will be Boy Bands"). The show's creators have said that Seth MacFarlane's track is her favorite and that she was a lover of his.
What was Alex's intelligence?
When Alex was an African grey parrot first entered the world of animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's home in 1977, he might be seen as just another pet. However, over the next 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology by showing that birds aren't just "rabbit brains."
Alex was a seasoned talker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time in a pet store. He could recognize and even request objects, name them and even classify them. He could also express his emotions such as when he was feeling bored or annoyed during training sessions. He would inform his trainers of this by putting his chin against his cage, or saying loudly "I would like a banana."
Alex's brain was so sophisticated that he could recognize and even categorize objects according to their shapes, colors, and materials. He could also tell the distinction between bags made of plastic and wooden box, and also measure and compare the quantities of various items. He even understood the concept zero, which humans usually don't grasp until they are approximately four years old!
Alex's skills were impressive as unlike other parrots, Alex understood what he was saying. Alex could use his over 100 words to describe, request and refuse objects as well as describe the sizes and materials. He also demonstrated an understanding of analogies and could recognize the written form of words - though he didn't seem to associate these with their spoken forms.
Most parrots are taught words however they don't know the significance behind them. Pepperberg and her assistants acted out scenarios that involved the object they wanted Alex to master. This technique is referred to as the rival model and has become a well-known method of teaching animals.
Alex was not only a dog with a high cognitive capacity but also a fun and affectionate dog who loved to play with his owners. He was often an advisor and cheerleader during training sessions. He would encourage them or admonish them to do better. He was extremely observant and could sense the emotions of his human companions. He would jump into the arms of his owner when she was happy, and hold her leg if she was unhappy or sad.
What was Alex's impact on the world?
In his short lifetime, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testament to his determination and strength of character. He was an inspiration for many mountain climbers, travelers, and others who were determined to live their lives on their own terms. He taught them that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that you can reach excellence if you don't think about what others think.
Chris/Alex faced many challenges on his journey. He had to deal with the loss of his dad, financial problems, and the adversity. He was successful in overcoming all these obstacles by his sheer determination and determination. He never gave up on his dream of becoming a mountaineer. He continued to work towards his goal and eventually became one of the most well-known mountain climbers around the globe.
Even after his death he continues to inspire people across the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about Alex's life and his incredible achievements in climbing. This film has received much praise from critics and is considered to be one of the best documentaries ever made. It has also received numerous awards including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in the year 2019.
In addition to his work with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also pioneered new avenues of bird intelligence. Alex was able to sing more than 100 vocal label for objects and actions. He was also able to count up to six sets of objects and displayed math skills that were considered advanced in the time for birds.
He also was able to communicate with other animals using a sign language, and was able to comprehend grammar. He used a training method known as "rival model" which involved two trainers showing the bird what they wanted to teach it. The trainers often changed positions to allow the bird to interact with both and receive attention from both.
Alex was named as a National Hero in 2014 by President Barack Obama after the success of Free Solo. Alex was able achieve many things throughout his life because of his determination to character and his determination to live life on his own terms.