Unit 9
Primate Communication and Cognition

In Unit 2 we described a suite of characteristics that distinguish the primate order from other mammals. One of these characteristics is the relatively large neocortex (brain) size relative to the body size of most primates. So, it would appear that primates (including humans) have bigger brains than most other animals of similar body size. But what does this mean? Are all primates smarter than other animals? What selective, or evolutionary, pressures might have yielded larger brains in primates? This unit will explore some of these issues. In particular, we will look at two hypotheses that address the evolutionary origins of primate intelligence; the ecological and the social cognition hypotheses. Because communication (and particularly human language) has often been treated as an intrinsic domain of cognition, this unit will also look at the different modes of communication primates employ to signal information to one another. We will also cover some interesting research on ape language experiments, as well as research on primate “theory of mind.”

Objectives

When you have completed Unit 9, you should be able to

1. name and describe the four modes of primate communication.
2. describe the kinds of information potentially transmitted via vocalizations.
3. discuss the evidence for and against intentional and involuntary sharing of information in primate signaling systems.
4. discuss the evidence for primate learning through imitation.
5. discuss the evidence for and against the ecological intelligence and the social intelligence hypotheses for the origins and functions of primate intelligence.
6. explain the concept of, and evidence for, theory of mind in non-human primates.
7. discuss the implications of our assessments of primate intelligence for the ethical treatment of primates.
8. describe some of the research that has been done with apes and language ability.
9. discuss some of the findings stemming from research on wild vervet monkeys regarding their ability to “read the minds” vs. “read the behaviour” of conspecifics.

Viewing Assignments

In preparation for the final examination, you must watch at least four videos of the five options listed in Units 6 through 11. Each unit gives you two video options, so that by the end of Unit 11 you should have watched four videos from these five options:

The New Chimpanzees or The Nut-Cracking Chimpanzees of Tai Forest
Family of Chimps or Primate/Human Interaction
Can Chimpanzees Talk or Ape Genius
Gremlins: Faces in the Forest or 3 Monkeys
The Rain Forest Imperative or Gorillas in the Midst of Man

It does not matter the order in which you watch your video options, but the viewing assignments for each unit offer you a guide. Remember, completing a viewing assignment differs from watching a video for pleasure. You should consider watching each video twice: once to get an overview, and once to make notes. Study questions or instructions for viewing are supplied for each video; be certain that you read them over before you begin watching, and keep them in mind as you complete the assignment and make your notes.

Unit 9 Viewing Assignment

Watch one of the videos listed below.

Jones, Jenny, dir.
1997  Can Chimpanzees Talk? PBS (Nova). Arlington, VA.
First aired 15 February 1994.

This video follows the groundbreaking research since the 1950s aimed at determining if, and to what extent chimpanzees (and bonobos) are capable of human language. In particular, it looks at why chimpanzees cannot produce human speech but do seem capable of using other language media such as American Sign Language (ASL) and lexigrams. It focuses in large part on the remarkable bonobo, Kanzi, who can seemingly understand a wide range of spoken language. It also addresses the issues of syntax and numerical competence in apes.

If you choose this video, then in preparation for the examination, be certain that you can answer the questions given below.

1. What was Project Washoe? Why was American Sign Language (ASL) used instead of vocal speech?
2. What did Herbert Terrace set out to do with Nim Chimpsky? What did he ultimately conclude?
3. What anatomical difference between humans and apes limits apes’ language abilities?
4. What are consonants and how are they important in human speech? Can apes articulate consonants?
5. The bonobos Kanzi and Matatu (Kanzi’s mother) were exposed to language training with a lexigram in two different ways. How were these exposures different, and how might this difference explain Kanzi’s abilities relative to his mother’s?

or

Rubin, John
2008  Ape Genius. 54 min. Nova and National Geographic
Television in association with John Rubin Productions, Inc:
WGBH Boston.

This film looks at the latest research in ape cognition as evidenced in both wild behaviour and under experimental conditions. It examines such concepts as culture, imitation, theory of mind and cooperation. It then explores the fundamental differences between humans and apes that might have made earth the “Planet of Humans” rather than the “Planet of the Apes”.

If you choose this video, then in preparation for the examination, be certain that you can answer the questions given below.

1. At the chimpanzee research site at Fongoli, in Senegal, what two behaviours were of interest to researchers studying cultural variation in wild chimpanzee behaviour?
2. What is likely the primary mechanism by which apes acquire culture and “know how” knowledge in group situations?
3. Why are bonobos perhaps more cooperative than chimpanzees?
4. What “emotional issue” do apes seem to exhibit that might affect their ability to cooperate effectively with each other?
5. What is the effect of replacing numerical symbols for food in Sally Boysen’s numerical competency experiments with chimpanzees?
6. What signal used by humans is understood by dogs, but not apes? Why?
7. Explain “triadic awareness” and how it might be behind the cognitive difference between humans and apes.

Alternative Reading Assignment

If you cannot complete the viewing assignment before the final examination, you must do the alternative reading assignment instead. You may combine the reading with viewing assignments so that you have a total of four video and reading combinations. For example, you can watch three videos and do one reading assignment for the final examination. Or, if you cannot watch any videos, then you must complete four reading assignments from the five options presented in Units 6-11. The reading materials can be ordered from the library. Be sure you can answer the questions below each assignment.

Unit 9 Alternative Reading Assignment

If you cannot complete the viewing assignment, you must do the alternative assignment below.

Cheney, Dorothy L., and Robert M. Seyfarth
1998  Chapter Eight, In the Minds of Monkeys. In The
Primate Anthology: Essays on Primate Behavior, Ecology,
and Conservation from Natural History. Russell L. Ciochon
and Richard A. Nisbett, eds. Pp. 60-65. Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Prentice-Hall.

In preparation for the examination, be sure that you can answer the questions below.

1. What monkey species do Dorothy Cheney and Robert Seyfarth study? Where is their study site? What is the typical social organization of their study species?
2. What kinds of social relationships do the monkeys seem to understand?
3. What are the “two principles” around which the monkeys seem to organize their social lives?
4. What is transitive inference? Out of what social context might this ability be derived?
5. What examples are provided by the authors of the surprising limits of vervet cognition in interpreting the world around them and the presence of potential dangers?