What makes us human (Homo sapiens)? The challenge of cognitive cross-species comparison
Two major theoretical approaches have dominated the quest for uniquely human cognitive abilities: a developmentalist approach stressing the importance of environmental and social conditions, and a predominant approach in experimental and comparative psychology, the deterministic approach suggesting the effect of environmental and social conditions to be minimal. As a consequence, most claims of human cognitive […]
Eliciting play: A comparative study
The social play behavior of six mammalian species (Rodentia, Pinnipedia, Artiodactyla, Carnivora) is described and compared. Locomotor and Rotational Movements, e.g., jumping, running, and headshaking, occurred in all species and predominated in the rodent play. These movements are similar in form to anti-predator and “protective” responses and result in an immediate but temporary cessation of […]