Verbal behavior at a procedural level in the chimpanzee.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Animal Cognition
• Linguistics

Background:

• Traditional ape language research often uses cognitive explanations for ape abilities.
• Previous studies simulated ape findings in pigeons using cognitive terms.
• A behavior-analytic perspective offers an alternative framework for understanding these findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a specific ape language project using a behavior-analytic framework.
• To compare and contrast training methods for apes and pigeons from a behavior-analytic viewpoint.
• To evaluate the support for Skinner's (1957) Verbal Behavior based on ape language research.

Main Methods:

• Detailed description of an ape language project's training procedures.
• Comparative analysis of training programs for apes and pigeons.
• Application of behavior-analytic principles to interpret results.

Main Results:

• The behavior-analytic framework provides a clear lens for understanding ape language competencies.
• Training procedures used in ape language projects align with behavior-analytic principles.
• Similarities and differences in training methodologies for apes and pigeons were identified.

Conclusions:

• The behavior-analytic framework effectively explains ape language research findings.
• Procedures used to develop language skills in apes strongly support Skinner's (1957) Verbal Behavior.
• This approach offers a robust alternative to cognitive explanations in ape language studies.