Anthropology Discussion 4

Ape Genius || student Handout

Studying Apes and Humans

© 2008 WGBH Educational Foundation

Team Assignment Experiment/Field Observation Research Question(s) subject

A mechanical Aptitude chimpanzees in Fongoli, Senegal Is ape making tool? chimps

peanut placed in clear tube Can ape get peanut? chimps

B Imitation grape in slot machine Can apes from the same troop learn from another ape? From watching an ape from a rival group?

chimps

treat in opaque puzzle box, then in see-through box

Will ape and human copy actions to get treat?

chimps/humans

C Cooperation food hidden under heavy stone Can apes cooperate with apes, or with humans, to get food?

chimps

food is placed on tray with rope attached to pull it in

Can apes cooperate to get food? chimps

food placed in central box Will apes cooperate and split food? bonobos

d social Emotions treats dispensed on table; rope can be pulled to end experiment

Will ape choose to end experiment? chimps

young ape dies Will apes help others despite big risk?

bonobos

candy is placed in two dishes Which dish will ape choose? chimps

candy placed in two dishes Will children wait to get more candy? humans

E math/symbol skills numerals displayed on screen Could chimp count? chimps

symbols are placed in two dishes Which dish will ape choose? chimps

bonobos follow verbal instructions Can apes communicate? bonobos

F Communication treat under a cup Will child or chimp know where treat is if pointed to?

humans/ bonobos

child and parent watching puppet show

Will child understand what pointing means?

humans

ball moved from one bag to another

Will child be able to infer when someone else will or will not know the ball has been moved?

chimps/humans

experimenter shows he wants to steal food

Will chimp take into account what the researcher knows?

chimps