An Outline of the Domestic Cat’s Cognitive Processes: Learning, Memory and Perception (Part One)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2024.14.03

Keywords:

cat, cognition, learning, perception, welfare

Abstract

This reconstruction of the cognitive processes and structures of the domestic cat is written from the cognitive-zoopsychological perspective and focuses only on selected processes, abilities and mental aspects of the cat, which, in the author’s opinion, are a necessary condition for ensuring the animal’s maximum welfare. The main goal of the article is to confirm the thesis that the scientific recognition of the richness of the mental world provides evidence for the need to increase welfare by adequately enriching the environment in which our cat is kept. The text is divided into two main parts, with the reconstruction of the lower and separately higher cognitive processes in the cat’s mind. The first part of the article briefly discusses the ability of cats to learn and some perception processes. The second part focuses on causal thinking, the phenomenon of consciousness and the social competences of the cat as well.

Author Biography

Marcin Urbaniak, University of the National Education Commission in Krakow

Marcin Urbaniak – a cognitive scientist, zoopsychologist and bioethicist at the University of the National Education Commission in Krakow, as well as the founder of the inter­disciplinary Animal Behaviour and Mind Laboratory. His professional interests include the evolution of cognitive structures and processes and their comparative perspective in the animal kingdom. He conducts research in the areas of zoosemiotics and interspecies communication, as well as on animal social behaviour and higher mental functions, including subjective causation, predictive coding or affective niches in selected species. His research results justify the need for continuous improvements in animal welfare. In his free time, he works as a conservation activist and educator. E-mail: marcin.urbaniak@up.krakow.pl.

 

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Published

2024-09-06

How to Cite

Urbaniak, M. (2024). An Outline of the Domestic Cat’s Cognitive Processes: Learning, Memory and Perception (Part One). Zoophilologica. Polish Journal of Animal Studies, (2 (14), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2024.14.03

Issue

No. 2 (14) (2024): Zoophilologica

Section

ARTICLES

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