Learning from other’s mistakes? Limits on understanding a trap tube task by young chimpanzees and children
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2007 |
Authors: |
Horner, Victoria, Whiten, Andrew |
Publication/Journal: |
Journal of Comparative Psychology |
Keywords: |
causal, children, chimpanzees, trap tube |
Abstract:
A trap-tube task was used to determine whether chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and children (Homo sapiens) who observed a model’s errors and successes could master the task in fewer trials than those who saw only successes. Two- to 7-year-old chimpanzees and 3- to 4-year-old children did not benefit from observing errors and found the task difficult. Two of the 6 chimpanzees developed a successful anticipatory strategy but showed no evidence of representing the core causal relations involved in trapping. Three- to 4-year-old children showed a similar limitation and tended to copy the actions of the demonstrator, irrespective of their causal relevance. Five- to 6-year-old children were able to master the task but did not appear to be influenced by social learning or benefit from observing errors.