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Related Experiment Videos

Indexical and referential pointing in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

D A Leavens1, W D Hopkins, K A Bard

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.

Journal of Comparative Psychology (Washington, D.C. : 1983)
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Chimpanzees demonstrate intentional communication through spontaneous index finger pointing, challenging the idea that this behavior is uniquely human. This suggests referential communication is a generalized trait among hominoids.

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Area of Science:

  • Primatology
  • Cognitive Ethology
  • Comparative Psychology

Background:

  • Referential pointing, particularly with the index finger, is often considered a uniquely human communicative act.
  • Previous research has debated whether this behavior is dependent on language training or cognitive abilities specific to humans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate spontaneous index finger and referential pointing in non-human chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) without prior language training.
  • To determine if pointing behavior in chimpanzees is intentional and communicative.
  • To challenge the notion that referential pointing is exclusive to humans.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of spontaneous pointing behaviors in three adult chimpanzees in a laboratory setting.
  • Recording of 256 instances of pointing, noting the context and presence of humans.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of communicative indicators such as attention-getting behaviors, gaze alternation, and persistence.

    • Main Results:

    • 254 out of 256 observed points were communicative, occurring in the presence of a human and directed at environmental objects.
    • Chimpanzees used intentional communication strategies, including attention-getting and gaze alternation.
    • Index finger pointing was more frequent with the subjects' dominant hands.

    Conclusions:

    • Spontaneous index finger pointing in chimpanzees is intentionally communicative.
    • Referential communication and perspective-taking appear to be generalized hominoid traits.
    • The study refutes claims that indexical pointing is species-unique to humans or requires linguistic competence.