Abstract

I conducted two experiments at the baboon exhibit at the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York to measure attitudes and actual knowledge in children and adults, as well as perceived learning in adults. I also recorded caregiver-child conversations in the presence and absence of live research. Experiment 1 included 150 adult participants, and Experiment 2 included 18 caregiver-child dyads. In each experiment, the research on-scientist present and research on-scientist absent group watched the baboons engage with live cognitive research while the research off-scientist present and research off-scientist absent group watched the baboons carry out their natural behaviors. A scientist interacted with the scientist present groups but was absent for scientist absent groups. Adults in the scientist present groups in both experiments filled out a written questionnaire about their attitudes toward scientific research in zoos and perceived and actual knowledge gained from their experience. Three- to eight-year-old children in Experiment 2 answered similar knowledge and attitude questions but in a verbal interview with a researcher. Stay time was measured for all groups. In Experiment 2, caregiver-child dyad conversations were recorded from the scientist present groups for the use of certain statement types. The research on-scientist present group did not score higher on quiz questions than the research off-scientist present group, but in Experiment 1, perceived they learned more. Adults in both experiments scored higher on quiz questions from the scientist’s talk than on signage. The scientist present groups stayed longer than the scientist absent groups. There was no difference in language used by dyads in the research on-scientist present and research off-scientist present groups or between caregivers and children, but there were within group differences. Zoos should consider making their research projects public and implementing interactive components in addition to static signage to increase engagement and learning in their visitors.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Olive baboon--Behavior; Zoos--Educational aspects; Zoo visitors--Attitudes

Publication Date

7-8-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Experimental Psychology (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Psychology, Department of

College

College of Liberal Arts

Advisor

Caroline DeLong

Advisor/Committee Member

Allison Fitch

Advisor/Committee Member

Jessica Cantlon

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

EXPSYC-MS

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