Primate animals look at reasonable action on other subjects

Danh Phuong

According to a new study done by Harvard University researchers, when trying to understand someone's intentions, primates are not among those expecting others to act reasonably by take the most appropriate action in the circumstances allowed.

The study was guided by Justin Wood, a graduate of Psychology at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard, with the presence of David Glynn - research assistant, Marc Hauser - professor of psychology. at Harvard, and Brenda Phillips of Boston University.

Wood said: 'A dominant view of non-human primates is that they only focus on "looking familiar" behaviors when trying to understand what others are thinking. In contrast, our research shows that primates deduce the intention of other subjects in a much more "sophisticated" way. They look to other individuals who take the most appropriate action if possible, based on the environmental obstacles they encounter. '

Scientists have studied the behavioral responses of more than 120 primates, including cotton spiked monkeys, rhesus monkeys and chimpanzees. These species symbolize the three major primates, the monkey, called New World monkeys , Old World monkeys and apes. All three species were tested according to the same method, and the results showed the same behavior response among different species.

In the first experiment , two boxes containing internal food were given to primates, and the testers either deliberately hugging one of the boxes, or placing their hands upwards. one of the two boxes in a very random way. On all three species, primates were aimed at a food box that was held for a longer time than the box that people put their hands on. This indicates that the primates have inferred the part of the experimenter's behavior in the right direction when he hugs the food box tightly, and they can understand the difference between random behavior and purposeful behavior.

Rhesus monkeys are one of three primates that respond to the tester's behavior. (Photo: Justin Wood)

In the second experiment , the researchers wondered if primates could deduce the purpose of other subjects or not under the expectation of other individuals who would perform the most rational action. in conditions of environmental obstacles allowed. One more time, two boxes of inner food were given to primates. In a fake staged scene, the experimenter took an elbow into the box while his hands were full of food, and in another scene, as well, but this time there was nothing in his hand.

The primates who searched for food in the box of the experimenter touched their elbows at the time they were filled with food. They consider it the same as humans, if someone's hands are full of food, then it is reasonable for them to use their elbows to indicate that there is food in the box, but vice versa, if they are They have nothing, they have no reason to use their elbows, because then they can use their free hands.

Developed psychologists have discovered this in children who are aware of this rational action, but scientists still cannot understand this ability is unique in humans, or is shared with other animals. Research has shown that this ability has evolved in non-human primates 40 million years ago.

Wood said: 'The study represents one of the largest comparative studies of primates' awareness, and the significance of these findings is even more significant due to consistent results achieved through the study of 3 different primates. The results have an important implication in grasping the evolutionary processes, helping us understand other human behavior. '

The discovery was published in the September 7 issue of Science. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Guggenheim Museum and the National Science Foundation.

Note: This report is adapted from a published newsletter published by Harvard University.