Disposition to recognize goals in infant chimpanzees

Anim Cogn. 2004 Jul;7(3):154-61. doi: 10.1007/s10071-003-0204-9. Epub 2003 Dec 18.

Abstract

Do nonhuman primates attribute goals to others? Traditional studies with chimpanzees provide equivocal evidence for "mind reading" in nonhuman primates. Here we adopt looking time, a methodology commonly used with human infants to test infant chimpanzees. In this experiment, four infant chimpanzees saw computer-generated stimuli that mimicked a goal-directed behavior. The baby chimps performed as well as human infants, namely, they were sensitive to the trajectories of the objects, thus suggesting that chimpanzees may be endowed with a disposition to understand goal-directed behaviors. The theoretical implications of these results are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fixation, Ocular
  • Goals*
  • Intention*
  • Male
  • Pan troglodytes / psychology*
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual
  • Problem Solving*
  • Recognition, Psychology*