What is it about?
The study examined how chimpanzees interact with touchscreen devices when performing drawing tasks with the help of a specialized stick tool. Researchers observed and analyzed the behavior of several chimpanzees as they used the touchscreen and tool, and found that they were able to successfully complete the drawing tasks. The study suggests that chimpanzees have the ability to learn and adapt to new technological tools, show individuality in drawing and may have the potential to develop further skills in this area.
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Why is it important?
The study is important because it demonstrates that chimpanzees have the cognitive ability to learn and use new tools, even when it comes to interacting with touchscreen devices. This finding adds to our understanding of chimpanzee intelligence and the potential for them to adapt to changing environments. The study also highlights the importance of providing enrichment activities for captive chimpanzees, as learning new skills can help promote their overall well-being. Additionally, the research provides insight into how non-human primates may respond to new technology, which could have implications for fields such as animal welfare and conservation.
Perspectives
The study opens up several perspectives for further research. One possibility is to explore the extent of chimpanzee learning and adaptation to touchscreen devices and other forms of technology. This could shed light on the potential for non-human primates to develop even more advanced skills in the future. Additionally, the study raises questions about how technology may impact the lives of captive chimpanzees and whether or not it could be used as a tool for enrichment and cognitive stimulation. Furthermore, this study has implications beyond chimpanzees and could stimulate research of Biological Anthropology and the evolution of drawings in animals, including humans.
Cedric Sueur
Universite de Strasbourg
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Tool assisted task on touchscreen: a case study on drawing behaviour in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Folia Primatologica, February 2023, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/14219980-bja10008.
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Tool assisted task on touchscreen: a case study on drawing behaviour in chimpanzees
Martinet, L., Sueur, C., Matsuzawa, T., Hirata, S., Morimura, N., Pelé, M. 1 Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France 2 Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France 3 Chubu Gakuin University, Gifu, Japan 4 Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA 5 Kumamoto Sanctuary, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Kumamoto, Japan 6 ETHICS EA 7446, Lille Catholic University, Lille, Hauts-de-France, France Observations of drawing behaviour in chimpanzees have often focused on the completed drawings. Here, we compared drawing behaviour using fingers or tools on a touch-sensitive monitor between five chimpanzees from the Kumamoto Sanctuary (KS) and two from the Primate Research Institute (PRI), both located at Kyoto University, Japan. Regarding drawing duration, both PRI females drew relatively longer than the other, with the exception of one KS female. However, a long drawing duration did not correspond with a decrease in the number of pauses, which can be interpreted as a lack of concentration or interest. Therefore, to better understand the involvement of individuals, we recorded the time spent looking at the touchscreen. Pan, one of the two PRI females, had the longest drawing periods and spent the most time looking at the screen. We compared her with Ai, the other PRI female, to better understand their individual marking techniques and behaviours. By adapting to each one’s specific behaviour and previous experience with tool-assisted drawing on paper, we offered the females appropriate tools for making marks on the touchscreen. Our results indicate that electronic devices are not limiting in the expression of drawing behaviour. The females did not have the same drawing technique and also showed different types of involvement, which could not have been detected by only studying the completed drawings. By focusing more on the process rather than on the drawings themselves, we provide the first study on inter-individual differences in drawing behaviour of chimpanzees and show the relevance to adapt to it as experimenters.
Tool assisted task on touchscreen: a case study on drawing behaviour in chimpanzees
Video showing chimpanzees drawing with tools on a touchscreen
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