When animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg entered a Northwest Side pet shop in 1977 and bought a haughty one-year-old African grey parrot named Alex, she began a 30-year research project that changed how we perceive the avian brain. Alex's research challenged the common belief birds could only imitate human language without understanding meaning.
What is Alex?
Alex (short form for Avian Learning experiment) was originally an African grey parrot bought at a pet store. But over the course of his life, he set trails in animal psychology that were far above anything that was thought to be possible, and he proved that animals are as intelligent as primates or dolphins. In 2007 when he passed away, Alex was one of the most well-known talking birds in the world, appearing on television shows and scientific reports.
Alex was able recognize the shapes, colors and materials, as well as the quantities of objects. He also knew the meaning behind words, something that is not typical for birds. When he was able to hear "grape" and he realized that it was not a vegetable but an fruit. Dr. Pepperberg taught Alex words in a manner that made him comprehend them. She and a colleague would role-play the roles of student and teacher. Alex observed and listened. When he heard the correct pronunciation and definition of the word and was rewarded with the object that was associated with it.
She also taught Alex the meanings of words, not just the sounds. This was an innovative method because pet parrots generally only learn words for their novelty. The owners don't mean what they say when they use a certain word. Alex on the other hand, meant exactly what he meant when he used a particular word.
Some scientists believe it is unfair to make comparisons between Alex with humans when it comes to intelligence. They pointed out that while Alex could communicate, he wasn't capable of using logical phrases like "if x then y."
Although this is still controversial, the fact remains that Alex laid the groundwork for research into animal intelligence and consciousness. Alex was one of the most famous and well-known talking parrots up until his death in 2007, at the age 31.
What was Alex like?
Alex was an extremely violent member of a gang who was a fan of brutal actions. He was a likeable character despite his violent tendencies, and seemed to enjoy the power he had over his fellow hoodlums. He was addicted to two things in his life which was violence and classical music, specifically Beethoven and his songs, which always brought up images of blood and depravity to him. He and his gang would drink milk laced with drugs to prepare themselves for "ultraviolence."
Alex's experience as a parrot at an animal shop was not particularly impressive however, it was a great experience for him. Irene Pepperberg, his human trainer was able to teach him concepts and words quickly. Her research over thirty years on him revolutionized theories about animal cognition, communication and interaction. She acknowledged Alex for teaching her to use the rival model, which proved useful in other animals as well as children with learning disabilities.
After her research with him, Dr. Pepperberg went on to study other parrots like Wart and Griffin. She is now an instructor at the University of Washington and continues her pioneering work with birds.
As the tiniest member of the gang, Alex is perhaps the most innocent. She's a bit of a tomboy and is described as very ticklish. She is also the most avid animal fan in the group. She is usually the one to make peace when Clover and Sam have arguments that aren't worth the effort (such as "Abductions")
Alex has a remarkably strong sense of self, which she uses to manipulate others. 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 a child ("Mime World"). She also has developed an Emo/Goth-like personality and enjoys dressing in black clothes and writing deep poems about loss and love ("Boy Bands Will Be Boy Bands"). The show's writers have mentioned that her top song is by Seth MacFarlane and she once dated him.
What was Alex's intelligence like?
Alex Alex, the African grey parrot that Irene Pepperberg first met in 1977, could appear to be just another pet. Alex revolutionized the research into animal psychology by proving that birds are more than just "rabbit minds."
When Irene Pepperberg first saw him in the pet store, Alex was already an accomplished talker. He could categorize and rename objects, as well as identify them and ask for them. He could also express feelings, such as when he was feeling bored or frustrated during training sessions. He would let this be known to his trainers by putting his head against his cage or yelling loudly, "I want a banana."
Alex's intelligence is so advanced that he can understand and classify objects such as their colors, shapes, and materials. He could also tell a difference between a wood box and a plastic bag and count and compare quantities of different items. In fact, he even knew the concept of zero, something humans don't usually grasp until the age of four!
What made Alex's abilities remarkable was the fact that, unlike other parrots, Alex was able to comprehend what he was saying. He could use his over 100-word vocabulary to describe, request and refuse objects, as well as convey the sizes and types of materials. He even exhibited an understanding of analogies and could recognize the written word form - although it was not apparent that he could associate these with their spoken counterparts.
The majority of parrots learn to speak, but they don't know what they mean. Pepperberg and her assistants carried out scenarios that included the object they wanted Alex to learn. This method is called the rival model and has become a well-known method of teaching animals.
Alex was not only an intelligent dog but also a fun, friendly companion who loved to play with his owners. He was often a mentor and cheerleader in the training sessions. He would encourage or admonish them to do better. He was also very observant and was able to sense the emotions of his human companions. He would jump into the arms of his owner when she was happy and cling to her leg if she was upset or sad.
What was the impact of Alex's actions?
In his short lifetime, Alex changed many lives. His legacy is a testament to his determination and the strength of his character. He was an inspiration to many travelers, mountain climbers, and people who aspired to live life on their own terms. He taught them that you can accomplish anything if put your mind to it. He believed that if you don't worry about what others think of you, you can reach greatness.
Through his life Chris/Alex faced a lot of obstacles. He was confronted with the loss of his father, financial problems, and the adversity. He was successful in overcoming all these challenges with his will and perseverance. He never gave up his goal of becoming a successful mountain climber. He continued to work towards his goal and eventually became one of the most well-known mountain climbers in the world.
Even after his death, he continues to inspire people all over the world. Free Solo is a film about Alex and his incredible climbing accomplishments. This film has received a lot of critical acclaim and is considered to be one among the top documentaries of all time. It has been awarded 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 avian intelligence. He could perform more than 100 vocal labels for objects and actions and could count objects up to six, and showed math skills that were advanced for an avian at the time.
He was also able to communicate with other animals using sign language, and he had a good grasp of grammar. He utilized a method of teaching called "rival model" which included two trainers who showed the bird what they were trying to teach it. Trainers would frequently change positions to allow the bird to interact with both trainers and receive attention from both.
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 because of his determination to character and his determination to live life on his own terms.