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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
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.
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.
- 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.