Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Communication01:03

Communication

Communication between two animals occurs when one animal transmits an information signal that causes a change in the animal that receives the information. Organisms communicate with one another in a host of different ways. Signals can be auditory, chemical, visual, tactile, or a combination of these. Communication is a critical behavioral adaptation that promotes survival, growth, and reproduction.
Nonconscious Mimicry01:13

Nonconscious Mimicry

Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.
Non-Verbal Cues01:29

Non-Verbal Cues

Non-verbal communication extends beyond gestures and facial expressions to include vocal elements known as paralanguage. Paralanguage consists of non-verbal vocal cues such as pitch, loudness, speech rate, pauses, and non-verbal vocalizations like laughter, sighs, and moans. These elements not only accompany speech but also provide critical emotional and contextual information.The Role of Paralanguage in CommunicationParalanguage adds depth to spoken language by conveying emotions and...
Channels of Non-Verbal Communication01:28

Channels of Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication plays a critical role in human interaction, influencing how individuals perceive emotions and psychological states. It operates through four primary channels: facial expressions, eye contact, body language, and touch. These non-verbal cues help convey meaning beyond spoken language and are often culturally influenced.Facial Expressions and Emotional RecognitionFacial expressions are among the most powerful and universal forms of non-verbal communication. Research has...
Therapeutic Communication01:30

Therapeutic Communication

Communication is a lifelong learning process. Through therapeutic communication, nurses can collect relevant assessment data, provide education and counseling, and interact during nursing interventions. Sending and receiving messages occur through verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and can happen separately or simultaneously.
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Social evaluation of skilfulness in Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana) and brown capuchins (Sapajus apella).

Animal cognition·2026
Same author

Proceedings of the 15<sup>th</sup> International Newborn Brain Conference: Neuro-imaging studies: Fota Island, Cork, Ireland, February 28<sup>th</sup> - March 2<sup>nd</sup> 2024.

Journal of neonatal-perinatal medicine·2025
Same author

Tonkean macaques do not prefer the helper or the hinderer in the hill paradigm.

Royal Society open science·2025
Same author

MacaqueNet: Advancing comparative behavioural research through large-scale collaboration.

The Journal of animal ecology·2025
Same author

Is self-awareness necessary to have a theory of mind?

Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·2024
Same author

Is this worth the trouble? Strategic conflict management in Tonkean macaques.

iScience·2023
Same journal

Rank and payoff biases influence subject choices in a foraging task among sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Animal cognition·2026
Same journal

Buzzed but not elated? Effect of ethanol on cognitive judgement bias in honeybees.

Animal cognition·2026
Same journal

Dogs tuned to conspecific vocalizations: behavioral evidence for a voice processing preference.

Animal cognition·2026
Same journal

Variation in song structure does not predict associative learning performance in zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) raised under controlled cultural conditions.

Animal cognition·2026
Same journal

Executive functioning in wild guppies: investigating the impact of a pharmaceutical pollutant.

Animal cognition·2026
Same journal

Performance of sheep and goats in a delay of gratification task.

Animal cognition·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems
08:42

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems

Published on: May 5, 2015

Olive baboons communicate intentionally by pointing.

Hélène Meunier1, J Prieur, J Vauclair

  • 1Primatology Centre of Strasbourg University, Fort Foch, 67207, Niederhausbergen, France. meunier.h@gmail.com

Animal Cognition
|September 8, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Monkeys intentionally use pointing gestures to direct human attention to desired objects. Their communication adapts based on the human partner's attentional state, showing understanding of gaze cues.

More Related Videos

Examining Gesture Production in the Presence of Communication Challenges
07:18

Examining Gesture Production in the Presence of Communication Challenges

Published on: January 26, 2024

Automated Interactive Video Playback for Studies of Animal Communication
07:21

Automated Interactive Video Playback for Studies of Animal Communication

Published on: February 9, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems
08:42

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems

Published on: May 5, 2015

Examining Gesture Production in the Presence of Communication Challenges
07:18

Examining Gesture Production in the Presence of Communication Challenges

Published on: January 26, 2024

Automated Interactive Video Playback for Studies of Animal Communication
07:21

Automated Interactive Video Playback for Studies of Animal Communication

Published on: February 9, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Primate communication
  • Animal behavior
  • Cognitive ethology

Background:

  • Pointing gestures are crucial for human communication, forming referential triangles.
  • Previously thought unique to humans, pointing has been observed in apes and learned by monkeys.
  • Understanding the intentionality and mechanism of learned pointing in monkeys is key.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if monkeys' learned pointing is a conditioned response or intentional attention manipulation.
  • To assess baboons' understanding of a human recipient's attentional state in communication.
  • To analyze the intentional and referential nature of baboon communicative signals.

Main Methods:

  • Tested nine baboons trained in pointing using operant conditioning.
  • Assessed communication about unreachable food rewards across three contexts varying human attention.
  • Quantified communicative behaviors including gestures, vocalizations, and gaze alternation.

Main Results:

  • Baboons modulated manual and visual signals based on the experimenter's attentional state.
  • Monkeys demonstrated intentional pointing gestures.
  • Baboons understood the necessity of the human partner's gaze for effective communication.

Conclusions:

  • Monkeys exhibit intentionality in learned pointing gestures.
  • Baboons understand that attention must be directed towards the gesture for it to be effective.
  • Findings suggest sophisticated cognitive abilities underlying primate communication.