When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and purchased a haughty one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex, she began a 30-year experiment that changed the way we view the intelligence of birds. Her work with him challenged the notion 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 an African grey parrot bought from a pet store. But over the course of his life, he set trails in animal psychology that were beyond anything previously thought possible. He also proved that animals can be as intelligent as dolphins or primates. Up until his death in 2007, Alex was one of the most famous talking birds around the world, appearing on TV shows and in scientific reports.
Alex was able recognize the shapes, colors and materials, as well as the quantity of objects. He also understood the meanings behind words, something that is not typical for birds. For example, when you hear the word "grape" he would recognize that it was a fruit, not a vegetable. This was due to the way that Dr. Pepperberg taught him words. She and her assistant would play the role of students and teachers, and Alex was watching the actions and listened to the explanations. He was awarded for correct pronunciation and definition by receiving the object associated with the word.
Another fascinating aspect of the method she taught Alex was that she taught him the meaning behind words rather than just the sounds. This was a revolutionary method as pet parrots typically only learn words to enhance their novelty. The owners don't care about what they say when they use a certain word. However in the case of Alex who spoke an exact word, he was really meaning what he said.
While many are awed by the fact that Alex could learn so much however, some scientists have argued that it is unfair to compare Alex to humans in terms of intelligence. They have pointed out that while Alex was able to communicate, he did not have the ability to use logic, such as "if you have x, then you have y."
Alex's research into animal consciousness and intelligence is controversial. Alex was one of the world's most famous talking parrots until his death in 2007 at the age 31.
What was Alex like?
Alex was a violent bandit who loved to commit brutal acts of violence. Despite his violent tendencies, Alex was a likable character, and seemed to relish the power he possessed over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to two things in his life: violence and classical music, specifically Beethoven, whose songs always brought images of blood and depravity for him. He and his group would drink milk that was mixed with drugs to prepare themselves for "ultraviolence."
Alex's past as a parrot at a pet shop was not exceptional but it was a great experience for him. He was quick to learn concepts and words from his human trainer, Irene Pepperberg. Her thirty-year study on him changed the theories of animal cognition, communication and interaction. She is grateful to Alex with teaching her how to apply the model that worked for all animals and children who had learning disabilities.
Dr. Pepperberg continued her research with other parrots as well, including Wart and Griffin. She is now an assistant professor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering work with birds.
As the youngest member of the gang, Alex is perhaps the most innocent. She is a bit of a tomboy, and has been described by some as being a bit teasing. She is also the largest animal fan in the group. She is often the peacemaker between Clover and Sam when they get into irrelevant fights (such as in "Abductions").
Alex has a very confident sense of self that she uses to manipulate others. This has led her to get into conflict with other members of the gang, including her longtime foe Gigi who she blames for spilling a juice on her blanket when she was when she was a kid ("Mime World") She also has developed a Goth/Emo-style personality. She loves wearing black clothing and write eloquent poems about loss, love and life ("Boy Bands will be Boy Bands"). The writers of the show have stated that Seth MacFarlane's song is her favorite and that she has dated him.
What was Alex like in terms of intelligence?
When Alex the African grey parrot, first entered the world of animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's life in 1977, he may be seen as just another pet. However, over the subsequent 30 years, Alex helped revolutionize the field of animal psychology, proving that birds aren't just "rabbit brains."
When Irene Pepperberg first saw him at the pet shop, Alex was already an skilled talker. He could categorize and name objects, as well as identify them and ask for them. He could also express his emotions, for instance, when he was frustrated or frustrated during training sessions. He would tell his trainers this by putting his chin on his cage, or shouting out loudly "I want banana."
Alex's intelligence is so advanced that he can understand and classify objects in terms of their colors, shapes and materials. He could also tell the distinction between a plastic bag and a wooden box, and also measure and compare the quantities of various items. He even grasped the concept of zero, which humans usually do not grasp until they are about four years old!
What made Alex's skills so remarkable was that unlike other parrots Alex truly understood what he was saying. Alex could use his over 100-word vocabulary to describe, request and refuse objects as well as describe the sizes and materials. He even showed an understanding of analogies and was able to recognize the written form of words - though he didn't seem to connect these with spoken forms.
The majority of parrots learn words, but do not understand their meaning. Pepperberg and her assistants played out scenarios which involved the object they wanted Alex to learn. This technique is referred to as the rival model and it has since become an accepted method of teaching animals.
In addition to his cognitive skills, Alex was a friendly and playful pet who loved to interact with his owners. He was often an advisor and cheerleader during training sessions, urging or encouraging them to perform better. He was extremely observant, and he was able to identify the emotions of his human friends. He would often leap into his owner's arms when she was happy and clung to her legs when she was sad or upset.
What was Alex's impact like?
In his short life, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testament to his determination and the strength of his character. He was an inspiration to many mountain climbers, travelers and those who wanted to live life in their own way. He taught people that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. He believed that if you didn't focus on what others think about you, you can reach the heights of success.
Throughout his journey, Chris/Alex had to face a lot of challenges. He was confronted with the loss of his dad as well as financial issues and adversity. He was able to overcome every obstacle with his determination and perseverance. He did not give up on his dream of becoming a mountain climber. He continued to work towards his goal, and eventually became one of the most renowned mountain climbers around the globe.
Even after his death, he continues to inspire people all over the world. Free Solo is a film about Alex and his remarkable climbing accomplishments. The film has received a lot of critical acclaim and is considered one among the top documentaries of all time. 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 actions and objects and was able to count object sets up to six, and showed math skills that were incredibly advanced for a bird at the time.
He also was able to communicate with other animals by using sign language, and also was able to comprehend grammar. He utilized a method of training called "rival model," which involved two trainers modeling to the bird what they wanted to learn. The trainers would switch their positions frequently so that the bird could be able to interact with them both and receive attention and rewards from 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 so much during his lifetime because of his strength of character, as well as his desire to live his life according to his own terms.
