Alex the African Grey Parrot
When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and purchased an exuberant one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex She began a 30-year experiment that altered the way we think about the intelligence of birds. Her study with Alex challenged the common belief that birds could only mimic human speech without any understanding of the meaning.
What is Alex?
Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was originally just an African grey parrot that was purchased at a pet store. Through his lifetime, he broke new ground in animal psychology, and proved that animals are just as intelligent as dolphins or primates. In 2007 when he passed away, Alex was one of the most well-known talking birds in the world, appearing on television shows and scientific reports.
In his entire life, Alex learned over 150 words and could identify shapes, colors materials, and the sizes of objects. Alex was able to comprehend the meanings of words which is a feat that is rare for birds. For instance, if you hear the word "grape" it would be clear that it was a fruit, not an vegetable. This was due to the way that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She along with a colleague would take on the roles of teacher and student. Alex observed and listened. When he heard the correct pronunciation and meaning of the word and was rewarded with the object associated with it.
Another intriguing aspect of how she trained Alex was that she taught him the meanings behind words, rather than the sounds. This was an innovative method, as it is typically the case that pet parrots get taught words for their novelty value only. The owners don't really mean what they say when they use a particular word. Alex however, on the other hand, meant exactly what he said when used a particular word.
Many people are enthralled by the fact that Alex could learn so much, some scientists have argued that it was unfair to compare him to humans in terms of intelligence. They pointed out that while Alex could communicate, he was not capable of using logical phrases like "if x then y."
Alex's work on animal intelligence and consciousness is controversial. He was one of the world's most famous talkative parrots until his passing in 2007 at the age 31.
What was Alex's personality like?
timneh african grey parrot was an extremely violent member of a gang who loved brutal actions. Despite his violent tendencies Alex was a likable person and seemed to appreciate the power that he wielded over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to two things in his life that was violence and classical music, especially Beethoven who's music always brought up images of blood and depravity to him. He and his group would drink milk that was mixed with drugs to prepare themselves for "ultraviolence."
Alex's experience as a parrot at a pet shop was not particularly impressive however, it served him well. He was quick to learn concepts and words from his human trainer, Irene Pepperberg. Her research over thirty years on him changed the theories of animal cognition, communication, and interaction. She acknowledges Alex with teaching her how to use the model that was effective for all animals and children with learning disabilities.
Dr. Pepperberg continued her research with other parrots and parrots, including Wart and Griffin. She is a professor now at the University of Washington, where she continues her pioneering work with birds.
As the youngest member of the group, Alex is perhaps the most childlike. She's a bit of a tomboy and has been described by others as being a bit ticklish. She is the most animal-friendly member of the group. She is often the peacemaker when Clover and Sam engage in a petty argument (such as "Abductions")
Alex has an extremely confident sense of self which she utilizes to manipulate other people. This has led her into many conflicts with other members of the gang, such as her long-time enemy Gigi Hollingsworth who she blames for spilling juice on her blanket when she was in the midst of her childhood ("Mime World"). She has also developed a Goth/Emo personality. She is a fan of wearing black and write long poems about loss, love and life ("Boy Bands will be Boy Bands"). The show's creators have said that Seth MacFarlane's song is her most favorite and that she dated him.
What was Alex's intelligence like?
Alex Alex, the African grey parrot that Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, could appear to be just another pet. Alex revolutionized the research into animal psychology by showing that birds are more than "rabbit minds."
Alex was a fluent speaker when Irene Pepperberg saw him for the first time in the pet store. Alex could recognize and ask for objects, name them and even classify them. He could also communicate his emotions, like when he was feeling unhappy or dissatisfied during training sessions. He would tell his trainers this by putting his chin on the cage, or saying loudly "I want banana."
Alex's intelligence was so advanced that he was able to comprehend and even categorize objects and their colors, shapes and materials. He was also able to tell the distinction between a wooden box and a plastic bag and count and compare amounts of different objects. He even understood the concept zero, which most people do not grasp until they are around four years old!
What made Alex's abilities impressive was that unlike other parrots Alex truly understood what he was saying. He was able to use his more than 100-word vocabulary to describe, request and refuse 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 associate these with their spoken forms.
The majority of parrots are taught words, but they don't understand the significance behind them. Pepperberg and her assistants acted out scenarios which involved the object they wanted Alex to master. This process is referred to as the rival model and has since evolved into an established method of teaching animals.
In addition to his brain abilities, Alex was a friendly and playful dog who enjoyed interacting with his owners. He was often an adviser and cheerleader during training sessions, urging or encouraging them to perform better. He was extremely attentive and was able to discern the emotions of his human friends. He often jumped into his owner's arms when she was happy, and was a clinging to her leg when she was sad or upset.
What was Alex's influence?
In his short time on earth, Alex changed the lives of many people. His legacy is a testament to his determination and the strength of his character. He was a role model for a lot of mountain climbers, travelers, and those who were determined to live their lives on their terms. He taught them that you can accomplish anything if put your mind to it. He believed that you can achieve the heights of success if you do not worry about what other people think.
Throughout his journey, Chris/Alex had to face many difficulties. He was confronted with the loss of his father, financial hardships and hardship. He was capable of overcoming all these challenges with his will and perseverance. He never gave up on his dream of becoming an accomplished mountain climber. He continued to strive for his goal and eventually became one of the most well-known 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 much critical acclaim and is regarded as one of the best documentaries ever made. It has also won many awards including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in the year 2019.
In addition to his collaboration with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also pioneered new avenues in avian intelligence. He could perform more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions and was able to count sets of objects up to six, and demonstrated math skills that were quite advanced for a bird at the time.
He was also able to communicate with other animals using sign language, and he had a good grasp of grammar. He employed an approach to training known as "rival model," which involved two trainers modeling to the bird what they wanted to learn. The trainers would switch places frequently so that the bird could be in a position to interact with both of them and receive attention and rewards from each of them.
Alex was named a National Hero in 2014 by President Barack Obama after the success of Free Solo. Alex was able to achieve many things in his lifetime because of his determination to character and his determination to live life on his own terms.