The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat (1937)

May 2, 2021

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: A silent filmed experiment from the University of Rochester shows several cats used in the study of learned token-reward habits.

Reality Cats: The tests involve placing the cat subjects into a lighted box with a window so they can be filmed without interacting with humans. The box is fitted with mechanisms that release balls when a string is pulled. If the ball is dropped down a hole, another mechanism releases salmon and other treats into a slot which the cat can enjoy.

The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat - tabby cat pulling on string in box
The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat - tabby cat with ball in box

The cats are first placed in the box with the balls and learn the first step of the process for getting food. All of the test subjects seem to pick up on the ball part very quickly.

The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat - bicolor cat with balls in box
The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat - bicolor cat with ball in box
The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat - tabby cat scratching side of box

After the cats are trained to get food with the balls, the string to release the balls is introduced. In this case the cats mostly seem to stumble on how to release the balls by accident, as they trigger the string by bumping it or trying to get under it to check for food.

The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat - tabby cat under string releasing balls in box

What is clear is that once the cats figure out the string releases the balls they have no problem obtaining food.

The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat - tabby and white cat with string and balls in box

The highlight of the film is the black and white cat who bypasses the string altogether for a while and pulls the balls out of the mechanism by paw!

The Acquisition of the Token-Reward Habit in the Cat - black and white cat reaching for balls in box

You can view this entire film at the Indiana University Media Collections Online.

Final Mewsings: We didn’t really need scientists to tell us cats are smart.

To discuss this film and other cats in movies and on television, join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Share this with your cat and movie loving friends!