This study investigated chimpanzees' spontaneous spatial constructions with objects, and especially their ability to repeat inter-object spatial relations, which is basic to understanding spatial relations at a higher level than perception or recognition. Subjects were six chimpanzees, in fact four chimpanzees and two bonobos, aged 6 to 21 years, all raised in a human environment from an early age. Only minor species differences, but considerable individual differences were found. The effect of different object samples was assessed through the comparison with a previous study. A common overall chimpanzee pattern was also found. Chimpanzees repeated different types of inter-object spatial relations such as insertion (I), or vertical (V), or next-to (H) relations. However chimpanzees repeated I or V relations with more advanced procedures than when repeating H relations. Moreover, chimpanzees never repeated combined HV relations. Compared to children, chimpanzees showed a specific difficulty in repeating H relations. Repeating H relations is crucial to represent and understand multiple reciprocal spatial relations between detached elements and to coordinate independent positions in space. Therefore, the chimpanzees' difficulty indicates a fundamental difference with humans in constructive space. The findings are discussed in relation to issues of spatial cognition and tool use.
Chimpanzees' Constructional Praxis (Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes).
2005
Abstract
This study investigated chimpanzees' spontaneous spatial constructions with objects, and especially their ability to repeat inter-object spatial relations, which is basic to understanding spatial relations at a higher level than perception or recognition. Subjects were six chimpanzees, in fact four chimpanzees and two bonobos, aged 6 to 21 years, all raised in a human environment from an early age. Only minor species differences, but considerable individual differences were found. The effect of different object samples was assessed through the comparison with a previous study. A common overall chimpanzee pattern was also found. Chimpanzees repeated different types of inter-object spatial relations such as insertion (I), or vertical (V), or next-to (H) relations. However chimpanzees repeated I or V relations with more advanced procedures than when repeating H relations. Moreover, chimpanzees never repeated combined HV relations. Compared to children, chimpanzees showed a specific difficulty in repeating H relations. Repeating H relations is crucial to represent and understand multiple reciprocal spatial relations between detached elements and to coordinate independent positions in space. Therefore, the chimpanzees' difficulty indicates a fundamental difference with humans in constructive space. The findings are discussed in relation to issues of spatial cognition and tool use.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
