Slide 1Slide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11Slide 12Slide 13Slide 14Slide 15Slide 16Slide 17Slide 18Slide 19Slide 20Slide 21Slide 22Slide 23Slide 24Slide 25Slide 26Slide 27Slide 28Slide 29Slide 30Slide 31Slide 32PRIMATE BEHAVIORIncreased emphasis on learning (vs. instinct)compared to other mammals.Primates spend a greater proportion of their life growing up, both biologically and sociallyOffspring require a long period of parental care.Why do anthropologists study non-human primate behavior?Primate behavior studies are seen as modelsfor early human behavior, or for the origin of such behaviors. Primates and humans share ancestors, so behavior may be homologous.The two primates used most often for interpretingorigin of human behavior have beenBaboon (analogous: terrestrial with arboreal ancestry) andChimpanzee (homologous)Early studies were done in the laboratory and zoos. Since 1970s in the wild.Primates recognize individuals, and each individual holds acertain status within the dominance hierarchy of the group.Primate social systems are maintainedthrough communication:* Facial expressions* Vocalizations* Body language* Touch(Goodall 1986:135)(Goodall 1986:120)Facial expressionsJane Goodall has documented chimpanzee facial expressions(Turnbaugh et al. 2002:154)Full closed grin(fear/excitement)(Goodall 1986:121)Compressed lips(aggression)(Goodall 1986:123)(Goodall 1986:129)VocalizationsAmong chimpanzees, vocalizationsare closely bound to emotion --i.e., can’t make the sound withoutexperiencing the emotionCalls are elicited by or directed toward:1) Individuals in the same party;2) Community members in different parties;3) Individuals of a neighbor community;4) Nonanimate environmental stimuli;5) Animals of other speciesChimpanzee mothersrecognize the screamsof their own offspringGoodall 1986:127)(Goodall 1986:123, 129)(Goodall 1986:127)(Goodall 1986:124) TOUCHPhysical contact is frequently used to reassure orappease distressed or tense individuals.Social grooming is a significant aspect of chimpsocial life(Goodall 1986:393)Siblings embraceat reunion(Goodall 1986:398)(Goodall 1986:130)Mutual open-mouth kiss at reunionChimp on right greetsother with a kiss(Goodall 1986:366)BODY LANGUAGENonvocal communication occursthrough a variety of postures andgesturesThese include:Submissive patterns (presenting, extending the hand, crouching, bobbing)Aggressive patterns (waving arms, bipedal swaggering, shoulder hunch, male charging display)Most communication depending upon visual cues takesplace at close range, except for females in estrus.(Goodall 1986:366)Chimp on left approacheswith apprehensive pant-grunts,while dominant chimp onright shows the sitting hunch(Goodall 1986:316)Malechargingdisplay(Goodall 1986:123)(Goodall 1986:130)Dominant male on left,submissive male on rightis bobbing and uttering pant-barksScreaming, while crouchingin a temper tantrumCOMMUNICATION relies on a combination of facial expressions, vocalizations, touch, and body language Among chimpanzees, social interactions are tied toemotion.All chimpanzees, regardless of age, tend to act theway they feel, with little or no masking of theiremotional state, much like human children. (Goodall 1986)Cognitive AbilityBeginning in the 1960s, researchers have taught American Sign Language (ASL) to primates to learn more about their cognitive abilities.First was Washoe, a chimp. Since then, other chimps,gorillas, and an orangutan.* Can use symbolic language* Can express new ideas, apply to new concepts* Displacement: can discuss things not present in space or time* Is learnedThey have observed these animals signing tothemselves when playing alone.Can form short sentences, at about a human2-3-year old level. The animals have taughtother animals how to sign.Nim signing“more”(Terrace 1979:161)ACTIVITY PATTERNSFor most non-prosimian primates,The day is divided into three main activities:FeedingMovingRestingA small part of the day includes:SexGroomingTerritorial displaysGrooming: ritual cleaning of anotheranimal’s coat.For gorillas, it is hygienicFor chimps and baboons, it providessocial cement -- for friendliness,submission, appeasement, closeness(Goodall 1986:393)Human-Primate SimilaritiesMany differences are in degree rather than in kindLearningPrimates (including humans) learn from experiencethroughout their lives.Among chimpanzees, this includes making and usingtoolsEven gorillas make nests andthrow objects(Goodall 1986)Tool UseIn the wild, baboons or gorillas don’t make oruse tools to a significant extentChimpanzees and orangutans doTOOL: object used to do a taskMAKE: deliberate modification of something for an intended useIn making tools, chimpanzees:* Follow some patterns* Prepare the tool for future use elsewhere* Use to solve new problems* Learn use and how to makeHuntingBoth baboons and chimpanzees are knownto hunt other animals for meatBaboons eat young antelopesChimpanzees favor red colobus monkeys(Goodall 1986:300)Hunting is bothopportunisticand plannedHunting frequently involves teamworkMeat is often shared:In chimps,meat issometimesused to obtainsex or cementsocial alliances(Goodall 1986)SOCIALIZATIONPrimates living in groups manage social interactionsthrough a dominance hierarchy and a network ofalliances or friendshipsMother-child bond may remain strongMales are generally dominant over females, and malesdominate hostile intergroup encounters(Goodall 1986)All of these behaviors come together, as theydo among humans, to make for life in a socialsetting:Communication (facial expressions, vocalizations, touch, body language)depends upon and reinforces the social situationBehavior and responses are learned(Goodall 1986)HUMAN-PRIMATE DIFFERENCESHumans appear to be the most cooperative - share food regularly - may obtain food togetherHumans rely on meat more than do other primates - omnivorous dietHumans don’t consume and eliminate constantly,but do so in periodsLanguage contributes to greater information storageHumans mate throughout the year; other primates mate when female is in estrusHumans recognize marriageand create kinship systems with marriage rules,which can provide ties/affiliation between members of different groupsHUMAN-PRIMATE DIFFERENCESFemale chimp in estrus(Turnbaugh et al.
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