Final answer:
Concept formation studies show that nonhuman animals can form concepts based on perceptual features. The work of Wolfgang Köhler with chimpanzees illustrates that animals can develop natural concepts without explicit training or verbal instructions. Animals' concept formation is linked to cognitive abilities and experiences, rather than being solely conditioned responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Concept formation studies demonstrate that nonhuman animals can form concepts based on perceptual features, which is option C. This is evident through empirical research that has shown animals can develop natural concepts through their experiences similar to humans. One classic example is the work of Wolfgang Köhler with chimpanzees, where they solved a puzzle by stacking boxes to reach a banana, displaying the ability to form abstract thoughts and concepts without explicit training or verbal instructions.
These natural concepts are informed by an individual's semantic memory and are a result of direct and indirect experiences. They differ from artificial concepts, which are known by a specific set of characteristics that they exhibit. The chimpanzees' ability to stack boxes to reach a goal without conditioning or explicit instruction demonstrates that animals can utilize cognitive skills for problem-solving, leading to concept formation based on perceptual cues in their environment.