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Use of gesture sequences in chimpanzees.
Katja Liebal1, Josep Call, Michael Tomasello
1Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deustscher Platz 6, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany. liebal@eva.mpg.de
American Journal of Primatology
|December 8, 2004
Summary
Chimpanzees combine gestures, often repeating tactile ones during play, primarily due to recipient inattention, not planned communication. They adjust visual gestures based on audience attention but don't sequence them to gain attention first.
Area of Science:
- Primate behavior
- Animal communication
- Ethology
Background:
- Gestural communication is crucial for social interaction in primates.
- Understanding gesture sequencing provides insights into the evolution of complex communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To inventory and analyze gesture sequences in captive chimpanzees.
- To investigate the factors influencing the emergence and use of gesture sequences.
- To examine audience effects on chimpanzee gestural communication.
Main Methods:
- Observation of 19 captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).
- Detailed recording and analysis of gestural communication, including sequences and modalities.
- Categorization of gestures based on repetition, modality, and context (e.g., play).
Main Results:
- A comprehensive inventory of chimpanzee gesture sequences was compiled.
- Most sequences involved repetitions of tactile gestures, frequently during play.
- Chimpanzees adapted gesture use based on recipient attentional state, favoring visual gestures when attention was secured.
Conclusions:
- Gesture sequencing appears to arise from a need to elicit a response rather than intentional communicative planning.
- Chimpanzees strategically use visual and tactile gestures depending on audience attentiveness.
- They employ alternative strategies, like repositioning, to ensure visual gestures are perceived.