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Orientation toward humans predicts cognitive performance in orang-utans
Laura A Damerius1, Sofia I F Forss1, Zaida K Kosonen1
1Anthropological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Scientific Reports
|January 10, 2017
Summary
Human interaction significantly influences orangutan cognitive performance. Greater human orientation correlates with increased exploration and problem-solving success in these great apes.
Area of Science:
- Primate cognition
- Animal behavior
- Comparative psychology
Background:
- Intraspecific variation in cognitive abilities can stem from developmental experiences.
- Orangutans exhibit diverse cognitive skills influenced by environmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how different rearing and housing conditions, including human exposure, affect orangutan cognitive performance.
- To determine the relationship between psychological orientation and problem-solving success in orangutans.
Main Methods:
- Assessed exploration and problem-solving in 103 captive orangutans (Pongo abelii & P. pygmaeus).
- Measured psychological orientation, including reactions to humans (human orientation index - HOI), novel food, and objects.
- Employed generalized linear mixed models to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- The human orientation index (HOI) was a stronger predictor of exploration and problem-solving success than rearing background.
- Higher HOI was associated with reduced neophobia and increased exploration variety.
- These factors led to enhanced problem-solving performance.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in human orientation, driven by experiences with humans, impact orangutan curiosity and problem-solving abilities.
- Findings suggest a cascade effect where human interaction influences motivation, exploration, and cognitive performance.
- Highlights the importance of considering individual experiences in comparative cognitive studies.
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