Date of Award
5-9-2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
William Hopkins
Second Advisor
Sarah Brosnan
Third Advisor
Charles Menzel
Abstract
Chimpanzees are proficient tool users and have been shown to use properties of weight and length to select effective tools. Researchers have, however, neglected to investigate whether chimpanzees utilize other tool properties. This study investigated whether chimpanzees use other properties to choose effective tools, how feedback influences their ability to select effective tools, and whether or not chimpanzees are flexible in effective tool selection. Sixty-one chimpanzees, ages 17-52 years, underwent four probing tasks requiring tools of differing physical properties. The results demonstrate that chimpanzees are able to utilize properties of length, surface area, and shape to select effective probing tools. Though exploration of the environment is suggested to facilitate learning and/or performance, it did not have an effect as measured through looking. Together, these results support prior research concerning effective tool selection by chimpanzees, as well as expand current knowledge and understanding of what may underlie effective tool selection.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/7004731
Recommended Citation
Mahovetz, Lindsay, "Effective Tool Choice by Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes): Learning and Flexibility." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2015.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/7004731