Larissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzee Cognition, on the site...
Thanks to all for these comments. Yes, mirror self-recognition is usually interpreted as an indication of self-awareness and is often measured by the “mark test”. Which primates are capable of mirror […]
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzee Cognition, on the site...
Thanks, Roberto. Let’s think about the connections between cognition and chimpanzee tool use. What are the steps involved when a chimpanzee hunts a bushbaby at Fongoli, Senegal? (bushbabies = galagos)
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzee Cognition, on the site...
Thanks, Lauren. What is the connection between spear hunting and culture?
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Radiolab: Lucy, on the site Discussion...
Thanks, Roberto and Lauren. Any other thoughts on this? Any responses to Roberto’s and Lauren’s comments?
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzee Cognition, on the site...
Thanks, Jonathan, but that wasn’t what I was looking for. I was not referring to spear hunting during human evolution, but spear hunting by chimpanzees. And by “culture” I’m not necessarily talking...
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzees and Bonobos, on the site...
Thanks, Jonathan and Emeli. Do all populations of chimpanzees (at each field site where they’ve been observed) use the same types of tools?
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Radiolab: Lucy, on the site Discussion...
Thanks to you all for these comments. If anyone has any further opinions as to whether the goals of this experiment were achieved (and why or why not), please share them. Or you may respond to the next...
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzees and Bonobos, on the site...
Thanks, Jenna. Yes, variation in tool use between chimpanzee populations suggests that these behaviors are socially transmitted and thus an example of culture. How did the “leaf-clipping” gesture...
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzee Cognition, on the site...
Thanks, Jenna. What does Victoria Horner’s experiment with the puzzle box tell us?
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzees and Bonobos, on the site...
Thanks, Elana and Adrian. In The New Chimpanzees, the narrator describes a female who “displays”. What does this mean?
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Radiolab: Lucy, on the site Discussion...
Thanks, Adrian, for this thoughtful reply. Indeed, the very fact that Lucy’s perception of humans and her relationship to them was so skewed was probably part of the reason for her death. This is the...
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzee Cognition, on the site...
Yes, the puzzle box experiment tells us that chimps can copy one another, and that tool use can thus be socially transmitted. Emeli mentioned the difference between the chimpanzees and the human...
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzees and Bonobos, on the site...
Thanks, Jenna and Jonovan. Among primates, a “display” is usually meant to convey dominance, i.e., power. It is a behavior that is usually done by males. The significance of the display shown in The...
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Week 14 Questions and Comments, on the...
Sorry, no, have sent out one more request to fill out the doodle pool. Unfortunately some of you only chose one time, or were very limited in the times you could do it. This makes it difficult as I...
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Chimpanzee Cognition, on the site...
Thanks, Vanessa. Yes, children are attuned to being taught, whereas chimps are not! For anyone who has yet to contribute to this discussion… What can dogs do that chimps cannot? Explain […]
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Radiolab: Lucy, on the site Discussion...
Thanks, Vanessa. Any other thoughts on Lucy and the moral of the story?
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Week 14 Questions and Comments, on the...
The exam will most likely be next Wed (21st) or Fri (23rd). If there is any way you can make a time on either of those days, please go to the doodle poll and indicate that, or email me! […]
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Week 14 Questions and Comments, on the...
I have posted information about the exam on Blackboard. In sum, it will be Friday the 23rd at 11am in PH 311. Format similar to midterm, covers topics 8-14 with 10% cumulative material. If you’d like...
View ArticleLarissa Swedell commented on the post, Week 5 Questions and Comments, on the...
James, on the off chance that you are still listening, I just wanted to apologize for not answering your question. I stopped checking this thread once we had moved on to Week 6 and beyond! It is an...
View ArticleLarissa Swedell wrote a new post, The South African Experience Film Series,...
Click here to view/download flyer As part of our Short Course on South Africa, we will screen six critically acclaimed films focusing on the social and political challenges and rewards of life in South...
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