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Author (up) Charles T. Snowdon,
Title Language capacities of nonhuman animals Type Journal Article
Year 1990 Publication American Journal of Physical Anthropology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 33 Issue S11 Pages 215-243
Keywords
Abstract In the last two decades, the study of language parallels in nonhuman animals has generated considerable controversy and excitement. Many have perceived demonstrations of linguistic skills in nonhuman animals as a threat to human uniqueness, whereas others have been uncritical of claims for complex cognitive skills in animals. Two different paradigms for studying linguistic parallels have appeared. One approach teaches great apes linguistic analogues of human language using signs or arbitrary symbol systems; the other seeks to decode communicative complexity in the natural languages of nonhuman animals. This paper reviews the language analogue studies with great apes and cetaceans, examining the utility of the different methods and reviewing the animals' accomplishments. Studies of ontogeny, syntax, referential communication, audience effects, and perception of vocalizations in the natural communication of birds, squirrels, and primates are evaluated. Finally, the brain mechanisms underlying human speech and language are compared with those involved in vocal communication in nonhuman primates. Although chimpanzees and bonobos have accomplished much, they do not threaten human uniqueness with respect to speech and language. Many of the claims for language paralleles in natural communication systems of nonhuman animals are weak, and many can be interpreted without recourse to cognitive constructs. Whereas there exist many similarities between subcortical controls of language and of animal vocalizations, there are no parallels to Broca's and Wernicke's areas in monkeys. However, the critical studies have not been done.
Address
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1096-8644 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ CharlesT.Snowdon1990 Serial 3553
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Author (up) Palagi, E.; Cordoni, G.; Borgognini Tarli, S.
Title Possible roles of consolation in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication American Journal of Physical Anthropology Abbreviated Journal Am J Phys Anthropol
Volume 129 Issue 1 Pages 105-111
Keywords Animals; Animals, Zoo/*physiology; Empathy; Female; Male; Pan troglodytes/*physiology; *Social Behavior; Stress/physiopathology/veterinary
Abstract Empathy is a necessary prerequisite for the occurrence of consolation. The term “consolation” contains a hypothesis about function, which is distress alleviation. The present study aims to confirm the occurrence of consolation in captive chimpanzees via the post-conflict/matched-control method (PC-MC) and to suggest its possible roles. We collected 273 PC-MC pairs in the group of Pan troglodytes housed in the ZooParc de Beauval (France). We confirmed the presence of consolatory contacts (mean level of consolation, 49.5% +/- 22.3% SEM) in the colony. Consolation rates were significantly higher than reconciliation levels (mean level of reconciliation, 28.9% +/- 16.8% SEM). The level of consolation was greater in the absence of reconciliation than in the presence of it, suggesting that consolation might be an alternative behavior. As friendship and relatedness did not influence the occurrence of consolation, they did not seem to be the best prerequisites for this behavioral mechanism, at least in this chimpanzee colony. Affinitive contacts with third parties were significantly more frequent when the victim called attention to itself during severe aggressions by screaming. These high-pitched sounds seem to be useful in eliciting aid from conspecifics, as occurs in young humans. The occurrence of consolation reduced the likelihood of further attacks among group-members. From this perspective, both victims and consolers most likely gain potential advantages by interacting with each other when aggression is particularly severe, reconciliation is not immediate, and consequently social stress reaches high levels.
Address Centro Interdipartimentale Museo di Storia Naturale e del Territorio, Universita di Pisa, 56010 Calci, Italy. betta.palagi@museo.unipi.it
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0002-9483 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16229027 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 2871
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Author (up) Previc, F.H.
Title Thyroid hormone production in chimpanzees and humans: implications for the origins of human intelligence Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication American Journal of Physical Anthropology Abbreviated Journal Am J Phys Anthropol
Volume 118 Issue 4 Pages 402-3; discussion 404-5
Keywords Animals; Humans; *Intelligence; Pan troglodytes/*metabolism; Species Specificity; Thyroid Hormones/*biosynthesis
Abstract
Address Northrop Grumman Information Technology, San Antonio, Texas 78228, USA. fred.previc@brooks.af.mil
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0002-9483 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:12124921 Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4108
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