Savage - Rumbaugh

Question 0

Sample

Answer 0

. 2 pygmy chimps: kanzi (4) and sister mulika (3)

. 2 common chimps: sherman (9) and austin (10)

Question 1

Background & Aim

Answer 1

. Whether the ability to communicate using human language is learned or arises as an innate biological structure in the human brain

. Aim: - study language acquisition of 2 pygmy chimps compared to 2 common chimps
- describe the 1st instance in which non humans have acquired language acquisition without specific training

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

. All chimps reared in language using environment
. Lexigram was main method of communication
. Kanzis keyboard connected to speech synthesiser that spoke word of the symbol he had touched
. All of boards light up when touched - this automatically recorded all lexigram usage
. When outdoors, K&M used replica lexigrams (pointing boards), these didn’t light up when touched
. When experimenters communicated using lexigrams, english and natural gestures also used
. Symbol use recorded as; correct, incorrect, spontaneous, imitation & structured
. Also formal tests of K&M ability to receive and produce communications
. 4.5hrs of video scored and coded by independent experimenters who 100% agreed with original coding

Question 3

Results

Answer 3

. Vocab tests: K matched 55/59 lexigram photos to symbols, M matched 41/42
- sherman & austin matched 30/30
. Vocab tests: K matched 56/59 photos to english words, M matched 36/41
- sherman matched 2/30, austin 3/30
. K&M demonstrated greater use of specific and untutored gestures in comparison to common chimps

Question 4

Conclusions & implications

Answer 4

Results suggest that pygmy chimps exhibit symbolic and auditory perceptual skills that are distinctly different from those of common chimpanzees