Because the same object can be the subject of either a shape or a col-
or question at different times, Alex must be able to change his basis
for classification. Such an ability to reclassify is thought to indicate
the presence of “abstract aptitude.”
- He can request or refuse more than 100 objects, categorize and
count them, and combine adjectives with the names. In tests evalu-
ating this skill, he has a success rate of 80%.
- Alex has also learned to answer questions concerning abstract
concepts, such as “same” and “different.” For example, when shown
two objects of the same color, shape or material, he knows which
category the objects have in common, or in which category they are
different. Or if the objects have no category in common, he is able to
answer “none.”
- The studies also showed that Alex can give the right answers
in regard to nouns, colors, shapes and materials not used in training
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