Transcript Primate Cultural Behavior

Chapter 7
Models for Human Evolution
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Behavior and Human Origin
Language Capabilities
Primate Cultural Behavior
Aggressive Interactions Between Groups
Affiliation, Altruism and Cooperation
The Primate Continuum
Behavior and Human Origin
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Primate behaviors developed as a function of
natural selection.
Behaviors are similar in many primate species
and may be adaptive in complex social
settings.
Language Capabilities
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Language distinguishes humans from the rest
of the animal kingdom.
There is abundant evidence that humans are
not the only species capable of symbolic
thought and complex communication.
Primate Cultural Behavior
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Cultural behavior is learned.
Nonhuman primates learn behaviors through
observation, their mothers and others.
Chimpanzees are the only nonhuman primate
that consistently and habitually makes and
uses tools.
Cultural Behaviors in Nonhuman
Primates - 8 Criteria
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Innovation - Pattern is invented or modified.
Dissemination - Pattern is acquired.
Standardization - Pattern is consistent and
stylized.
Durability - Pattern is performed without
presence of demonstrator.
Cultural Behaviors in Nonhuman
Primates - 8 Criteria
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Diffusion - Pattern spreads from one group to
another.
Tradition - Pattern persists from one
generation to the next.
Nonsubsistence - Pattern transcends
subsistence.
Naturalness - Pattern is shown in absence of
direct human influence.
Aggression Between Groups
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Used to protect resource through defense of
territories.
Territoriality is associated with species whose
ranges are small enough to permit patrolling
and protection.
Lethal unprovoked aggression between groups
of the same species is known to occur only in
humans and chimpanzees.
Studies in Aggression
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Jane Goodall and her colleagues witnessed
unprovoked and brutal attacks of chimpanzees
by other chimpanzees.
Territoriality and acquisition of females are the
motives suggested for chimpanzee male
aggression.
Altruism
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Altruism is common in many primate species.
Chimpanzees routinely come to the aid of
family and friends.
Chimpanzee orphans are routinely adopted.
Cooperation
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Forming alliances, coalitions and grooming
partnerships are all forms of cooperative
behaviors.
Chimpanzees hunt cooperatively.
The Primate Continuum
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Human brains are larger than primate brains,
but the neurological processes are functionally
the same.
The fact that humans are part of an
evolutionary continuum is the basis for animal
research, yet we cage nonhuman primates
with little regard for the needs they share with
us.