
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 and began a 30-year research project that altered the way we think about the intelligence of birds. Her study with Alex has challenged the belief that birds only mimic human speech, without any understanding of meaning.
What is Alex?
In the beginning, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was just an ordinary African grey parrot that was purchased from a pet retailer. However, throughout his life, he set trails in animal psychology that were above anything that was thought to be possible, and he proved that animals are as intelligent as dolphins or primates. Alex was among the most talked about talking birds in the world, until his death in 2007. He appeared on TV programs and reports on science.
In his entire life, Alex learned over 150 words and could identify the colors, shapes materials, as well as the quantities of objects. He was able to understand the meanings of words which is a rare feat for birds. For instance, if you hear the word "grape" it would be clear that it was a fruit and not an vegetable. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a manner that made him comprehend them. She and an associate were able to play the roles of student and teacher and Alex was watching the actions and was attentive to the explanations. He was awarded for correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object that was associated with the word.
Another interesting aspect of the way that she taught Alex was that she taught him the meanings behind words, not just the sounds. This was an innovative method as pet parrots typically only learn words for their novelty. When the owners say a particular word but they don't actually mean what they are saying. However, with Alex who spoke an exact word was a true statement of what he was saying.
Many people are enthralled by the fact that Alex could learn so many things however, some scientists have argued that it was unfair to compare Alex with humans in terms of intelligence. They have pointed out that although Alex was capable of communicating however, he was not equipped with the ability to use logical expressions like "if you have x, then you have y."
Alex's research on animal intelligence and consciousness is controversial. Until his death in 2007 at 31 years old, he was among the most well-known talking parrots in the history of the world.
What was Alex like?
Alex was an infamous gang member who enjoyed committing gruesome acts of brutality. He was a popular character despite his violent tendencies, and seemed to enjoy the power he had over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to violence and classical music. Beethoven's songs particularly conjured up images of depravity and blood for him. He also was known to drink milk that was spiked with drugs, which he and his gang members would then use to prepare themselves for their "ultraviolence."
Alex's experience as a parrot at a pet shop was not remarkable however, it served him well. He was quick to grasp words and concepts from his human trainer, Irene Pepperberg. Her thirty-year study on him changed the theories of animal cognition, communication and interaction. She credits Alex for teaching her how to apply the model that worked for other animals and children with learning disabilities.
After her work with him Dr. Pepperberg went on to conduct studies with other parrots such as Wart and Griffin. She is now an assistant professor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering research on birds.
Alex is the tiniest of the group and is the most playful. She's a more of a tween and is described as extremely charming. She is the most animal-friendly member of the group. She often acts as a peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they are involved in meaningless fights (such as in "Abductions").
Alex has a remarkably confident sense of self that she uses to manipulate others. This has led her into numerous disputes with other members of the gang. This includes her long-time adversaries Gigi Hollingsworth, who she blames for spilling juice on her blanket as a child ("Mime World"). She also has developed an Emo/Goth personality and enjoys dressing in black and writing deep poems about love and loss ("Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands"). The writers of the show have stated that Seth MacFarlane's track is her most favorite and that she has dated him.
What was Alex like in terms of intelligence?
When Alex the African grey parrot, first entered animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's world in 1977, he might be seen as just another pet. Alex revolutionized the field of animal psychological research by showing that birds are much more than "rabbit minds."
When Irene Pepperberg first saw him at the pet shop, Alex was already an accomplished talker. He could recognize and even request objects, name them and even classify them. He could also express feelings, for instance, when he felt dissatisfied or bored during training sessions. He would inform his trainers of this by putting his chin against his cage, or shouting out loudly "I want banana."
Alex's brain is so sophisticated that he can understand and classify objects such as 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. In fact, he even was able to comprehend the concept of zero, something that humans aren't able to grasp until the age of four!
What made Alex's abilities remarkable was the fact that, unlike other parrots, Alex truly understood what he was saying. He was able to use his vocabulary of more than 100 words to describe, request, and refuse objects, and also convey their dimensions and materials. He was able to comprehend analogies and recognize written words but was not to be able to connect them with their spoken forms.
The majority of parrots learn to speak, but they don't comprehend their meaning. Pepperberg and her assistants acted out scenarios that included the object they wanted Alex to learn. This method is known as the rival model and it has since become an established method of teaching animals.
In addition to his brain abilities, Alex was a friendly and playful pet who enjoyed interacting with his owners. He was often an advisor and cheerleader during training sessions. He would encourage or remind them to do better. He was also very attentive and was able to recognize the emotions of his human companions. He would leap into the arms of his owner when she was happy and hold her leg when she was upset or sad.
What was Alex's impact like?
In his short life, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testament to his strength of determination and character. He was a role model for a lot of mountain climbers, travelers and others who were determined to live their lives on their own terms. He taught his students that you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that if you didn't focus on what others think about you, you can achieve greatness.
Chris/Alex had to face many obstacles throughout his journey. He had to face the loss of his dad as well as financial issues and the adversity. He was able overcome all of these obstacles with his determination and perseverance. He never gave up on his dream of becoming a mountain climber. He never gave up on his goal of becoming a mountain climber.
Even after his passing, he continues to inspire people across the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about the life of Alex and his amazing climbing accomplishments. The film has received a lot of praise from critics and is considered to be one of the most acclaimed documentaries ever produced. It has also won many awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2019.
In addition to his collaboration with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also set the standard for new avenues in avian intelligence. Alex could sing more than 100 vocal labels for actions and objects, was able to count object sets up to six, and showed math skills that were advanced for birds at the time.
He could also communicate with other animals via sign language and was able to comprehend a lot of grammar. He utilized a method of training called "rival model," which involved two trainers demonstrating to the bird what they wanted to learn. The trainers often changed positions so that the bird could interact with both trainers and receive the attention of each.
Alex was named as a National Hero in 2014 by President Barack Obama after the success of Free Solo. Alex was able to accomplish much in his lifetime due to his strength of character and determination to live his life on his terms.