Primate CognitionSoon after Charles Darwin formulated his theory of evolution, primate cognition became a major area of research. In this book, Michael Tomasello and Josep Call assess the current state of our knowledge about the cognitive skills of non-human primates. They integrate empirical findings on the topic from the beginning of the century to the present, placing this research in theoretical perspective. They begin with an examination of the way primates adapt to their physical world, mostly for the purpose of foraging. The second part of the book looks at primate social knowledge and focuses on the adaptations of primates to their social world for purposes of competition and cooperation. In the third section, the authors construct a general theory of primate cognition, distinguishing the cognition in primates from that of other mammals (human in particular). Their broad-ranging theory provides a guide for future research. Primate Cognition is an enlightening exploration of the cognitive capacities of our nearest primate relatives and a useful resource for a wide range of researchers and students in psychology, behavioral biology, primatology, and anthropology. |
Contents
KNOWLEDGE OF THE PHYSICAL WORLD | |
Chapter Three Tools and Causality | |
Chapter Four | |
Chapter Five Quantities | |
Chapter Six Theories of Primate Physical Cognition | |
KNOWLEDGE OF THE SOCIAL WORLD | |
Chapter Eight Social Strategies and Communication | |
Chapter Eleven Theories of Primate Social Cognition | |
PART III | |
Chapter Thirteen | |
Chapter Fourteen Conclusion | |
Appendix | |
Author Index | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
ability activities adaptations adult animals apes attempt attention baboons behavior calls captive capuchin monkeys causal chimpanzees cognitive communication Comparative complex concept conspecifics container context cooperative cultural direct discrimination domain effects engage environment evidence evolution example experience experimental Figure findings flexible foraging four gestures given gorilla human imitative important indicate individuals infants intelligence intentional interactions interesting involved Journal kinds knowledge language learning linguistic macaques manipulation means mental mind natural needed nonhuman primates noted objects observed organisms pair particular performance physical possible presented Press primate cognition primate species problem processes Psychology relations relationships relatively reported representation response rhesus signals similar simply situations skills social spatial species stage stimulus strategies subjects symbols task tested theory tool trials types understanding University various vocalizations wild World World monkeys