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Deictic gesturing in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)? Some possible cases
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 15:14 authored by Catherine Hobaiter, David LeavensDavid Leavens, Richard W ByrneReferential pointing is important in the development of language comprehension in the child, and is often considered a uniquely human capacity. Non-human great apes do point in captivity, usually for a human audience; but this has been interpreted as an interaction pattern learned from human caretakers, not indicative of natural deictic ability. In contrast, spontaneous pointing for other apes is almost unknown among wild ape populations, supporting doubts as to whether apes naturally have any capacity to point referentially. Here we describe and illustrate four cases of gestures by juvenile chimpanzees in the Sonso chimpanzee community, Budongo, Uganda, that, at some level, may appear to be deictic and referential. We discuss the possible reasons why chimpanzees, if they possess a capacity for referential pointing, do not use it more frequently.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Journal of Comparative PsychologyISSN
0735-7036Publisher
American Psychological AssociationExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
128Page range
82-87Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2013-09-19Usage metrics
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