Social learning by orangutans (Pongo abelii and Pongo pygmaeus) in a simulated food-processing task
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2003 |
Authors: |
Tara S. Stoinski, Andrew Whiten |
Publication/Journal: |
Journal of Comparative Psychology |
Keywords: |
animal behavior, animal behaviour, orangutans, pongo abelii, pongo pygmaeus, social learning |
ISBN: |
0735-7036 |
Abstract:
Increasing evidence for behavioral differences between populations of primates has created a resurgence of interest in examining mechanisms of information transfer between individuals. The authors examined the social transmission of information in 15 captive orangutans (Pongo abelii and Pongo pygmaeus) using a simulated food-processing task. Experimental subjects were shown 1 of 2 methods for removing a suite of defenses on an “artificial fruit.” Control subjects were given no prior exposure before interacting with the fruit. Observing a model provided a functional advantage in the task, as significantly more experimental than control subjects opened the fruit. Within the experimental groups, the authors found a trend toward differences in the actual behaviors used to remove 1 of the defenses. Results support observations from the wild implying horizontal transfer of information in orangutans and show that a number of social learning processes are likely to be involved in the transfer of knowledge in this species.