Tool use in capuchin monkeys: Distinguishing between performing and understanding |
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Authors: | Elisabetta Visalberghi Loredana Trinca |
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Institution: | (1) Reparto di Psicologia Comparata, Istituto di Psicologia, C. N. R., Via U. Aldrovandi 16 b, 00197 Roma, Italy |
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Abstract: | A horizontal plexiglas tube containing a food-reward was presented to four naive tufted capuchins and suitable sticks were
provided to push the reward out. Three monkeys out of four spontaneously used the tools and showed very different styles of
solving the task. In more complex conditions, in which the sticks needed to be combined or actively modified in order to become
effective, the monkeys were always successful; however, their performance was loaded with errors which did not disappear throughout
the trials. Evidence of a difference between success in solving the problem and its understanding was found. This suggests
that although capuchins can discover new means through active experimentation, they do not mentally represent the characteristics
necessary for a tool to be effective, nor do they modify the tool appropriately beforehand. At this level, a major difference
with chimpanzees emerges. |
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Keywords: | Tool use Cebus apella Mental representation |
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