When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and bought an exuberant 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. Her research with him challenged the common belief that birds only mimic human speech, without any understanding of the meaning.
What is Alex?
In the beginning, Alex (short for Avian Learning Experiment) was a normal African grey parrot bought from an animal store. But over the course of his life, he blazed trails in animal psychology that were above anything that was thought to be possible, and he proved that animals can be as intelligent as dolphins or primates. In 2007 when he passed away, Alex was one of the most well-known talking birds around the world, appearing on TV shows and in scientific reports.
Alex was able to recognize colors, shapes and materials, as well as the sizes of objects. Alex was able to comprehend the meaning of words, which is a feat that is rare for birds. When he heard "grape" it was clear that it was not a plant but it was a fruit. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a manner that made him understand them. She and an associate would play the role of students and teachers and Alex was watching the actions and was attentive 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 interesting aspect of the method she trained Alex was that she taught him the meanings behind words, rather than the sounds. This was a novel approach because pet parrots generally only learn words for their novelty. The owners don't mean what they say when they use a particular word. Alex, on the other hand, meant exactly what he meant when he used a particular word.
Some scientists believe that it is not fair to compare Alex to humans in terms of intelligence. They have pointed out that even though Alex was capable of communicating but he didn't have the ability to comprehend logical expressions like "if x, then y."
Although this is still a matter of debate however, the fact is that Alex laid the groundwork for studies into animal intelligence and consciousness. Until his death in 2007 at 31 years of age, he was one of the most well-known talking parrots of all time.
What was Alex like?
Alex was a violent gang member who enjoyed committing gruesome acts of brutality. He was a popular character despite his violent tendencies, and seemed to be enjoying the power he had over his fellow hoodlums. He was a narcissist to two things in his life which was violence and classical music, especially Beethoven, whose songs always evoked images of blood and depravity to him. He also had a habit of drinking milk spiked with drugs, which he and his gang members would then use to fortify themselves for their "ultraviolence."
Alex's experience as a parrot at an animal 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 research over thirty years on him changed the theories of animal cognition, communication and interaction. She acknowledges Alex for teaching her how to use the model that was effective for other animals and children who had learning disabilities.
After her collaboration with him, Dr. Pepperberg went on to conduct studies with other parrots, including Wart and Griffin. She is now a professor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering research with birds.
Alex is the youngest of the group and is the most playful. She's a tween and has been described by others as being a bit teasing. She is the most animal-friendly member of the group. She is usually the one to make peace when Clover and Sam engage in a petty argument (such as "Abductions")
Alex has a strong sense of her own self-worth that she uses to manipulate other people. This has led to many conflicts with other members of the gang. This includes her long-time adversaries Gigi Hollingsworth who she blames for spilling juice all over her blanket as an infant ("Mime World"). She also has developed an Emo/Goth-like personality and loves dressing in black and writing deep poems about love and loss ("Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands"). The show's writers have cited that her top song is by Seth MacFarlane and she once was a lover of his.
What was Alex's intelligence?
When Alex was an African grey parrot, first entered animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg's world in 1977, he could be seen as 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 at an animal store. He could recognize and even request objects, utter their names, and even categorize them. He could also communicate his feelings, for instance, when he was bored or frustrated during training sessions. He would express this to his trainers by putting his head on his cage or yelling loudly, "I want a banana."
Alex's intelligence is so advanced that he is able to comprehend and categorize objects, their colors, shapes and materials. He could also tell a difference between a wood box and a plastic bag, as well as count and compare the quantities of different items. He even understood the concept zero, which most people do not grasp until they are about four years old!
Alex's abilities were remarkable because, unlike other parrots Alex understood what he was saying. He was adept at using his vocabulary of more than 100 words to describe the characteristics of objects, as well as describe their dimensions and materials. He was able comprehend the meaning of words and analogies, but did not seem to be able to connect them with their spoken language.
Parrots are the majority of birds that learn words, but do not comprehend their meaning. To teach Alex, Pepperberg and her assistants would play out scenarios that involved the object they wanted him to learn about. This method is known as the rival model, and it has since become a common method of teaching animals.
In addition to his cognitive skills, Alex was a friendly, playful companion who loved to interact with his owners. He was often an advisor and cheerleader during training sessions. He would encourage his owners or encourage them to be better. He was also very attentive and was able to recognize the emotions of his human companions. He would often jump into his owner's arms when she was happy, and clung to her leg when she was sad or upset.
What was Alex's impact on the world?
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, travellers, and people who were determined to live their lives on their own terms. He taught them you can accomplish anything if put your mind to it. He believed that you can reach greatness if you don't worry about what other people think.
Chris/Alex faced many challenges on his journey. He was confronted with the loss of his father, financial difficulties, and adversity. He was able to conquer every obstacle 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 death he continues inspiring people around the world. The film Free Solo is a documentary about the life of Alex and his incredible achievements in climbing. The film has received a lot of praise from critics and is regarded as one of the top documentaries of all time. It has won numerous awards, including the Academy Award in 2019 for Best Documentary Feature.
In addition to his work with Dr. Pepperberg, Alex also pioneered new avenues in bird intelligence. Alex was able to perform more than 100 vocal labels for actions and objects, was able to count sets of objects up to six, and demonstrated math skills that were incredibly 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 used an approach to training known as "rival model," which involved two trainers who showed the bird what they wanted it to learn. Trainers would frequently change positions to allow the bird to interact with both and receive attention from each.
Alex was named a National Hero in 2014 by President Barack Obama after the success of Free Solo. He was able to accomplish many things throughout his life due to his strength of character and his desire to live life to his own terms.