Imitation and Attention Differences in Primates

1
Imitation and Attention Differences in
Primates Nicole Marie Torrey and Alva T.
Hughes Department of Psychology Randolph-Macon
College
Results
Methods and Materials Likert scales (Table
1) were used to measure both attention and
imitation. Five behaviors (Table 2 ) were used to
test imitation and each session was video taped
for future observation and scaling. Each
individual was allowed approximately one minute
every session to become familiar with the
apparatus if one was being used (figure 2). The
demonstrator then manipulated the object or
performed the behavior 3-5 times making sure
attention was kept by the subject. The subject
then got up to five minutes to manipulate the
object or perform the behavior.
Introduction
The ability of non-human primate species
to learn through imitation has not yet been
established (Russon, 2000 Fernandez-Carriba
Loeches, 2001 Whitten et al.). Conflicting views
in the literature may be due to differences in
defining imitation, differences in the amount of
enculturation of the primates, or differences in
the target behaviors. There is also little
information available on imitation abilities
across primate species. This preliminary study
measured imitation and attention in five
non-human primate species.
Table 1 Likert Scales
Table 2 Behaviors
Subjects Five different species of primates
from Monkey Jungle in Miami, Florida were used in
this study. Subjects included one, male,
sub-adult orangutan, three different adult
females and two different adult, male java
macaques, one adult female and one adult male
capuchin, one adult female gibbon, one adult male
siamang (figure 1).

• Open Drink Juice
• Smear apple eat
• Wash raisins eat
• Roll playdough
• Open box

• Attention 0-3
• 0 No attention
• 1 Attention kept 10 seconds
• 2 Approach
• 3 Approach and touch

Figure 1 Subjects

• Imitation 0-4
• 0 No interest, no attempt,
• 1 Interest, no attempt
• 2 Finds own way to manipulate
• 3 Almost follows motor patterns
• 4 Exact imitation

Discussion Differences in level of attention
were found between species. The data suggest
that orangutans perform better in both attention
and imitation than do the other non-human
primates. Preliminary data with humans shows
more attention and imitation than all other
species observed. Trial and error learning may
play a bigger role in cognitive learning in
non-human primates.
Figure 2 Materials Sample Behavior
Java macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
White-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar)
Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)

• Acknowledgements
• Psych Department Monkey Jungle
• SURF Henry
  Henderson
• Anne Garrett Nick Vogel
• Dr. Sian Evans

Siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus)
Capuchin (Cebus Capuchins)