Humans are superior to the apes by its culture intelligence already as a small child. In an scientific research at Max Plank Institute the researchers got Infants are socially superior already to the anthropoids. “Which differentiates it from the apes is the fact that they imitate and thus many faster can learn”, said Esther gentleman man of the institute for Max-Planck for evolutionary anthropology in Leipzig. In the US trade paper Science (Bd. 317, P. 1360; DOI: 10.1126/science.1146282) report the Leipziger researcher on the result of a study with 105 to two and a half years old children, 106 Chimpanzee and 32 Orangutans. Humans have about three times a larger brain than anthropoids.
In a test about a researcher demonstrated, how one opens a pipe, in order to take therein putting food or toy out. The children observed this and copied it. The Chimpanzee and Orangutans imitated the scientist ,they tried but they destroy the pipe or to take contents out with the teeth.
In a test about a researcher demonstrated, how one opens a pipe, in order to take therein putting food or toy out. The children observed this and copied it. The Chimpanzee and Orangutans imitated the scientist ,they tried but they destroy the pipe or to take contents out with the teeth.
Ape with tools more skillfully-
In other attempts the researchers proved that the children can interpret also nonverbal communication – approximately by gestures – contrary to the anthropoids. The scientists hid something under one of two cups and pointed to these with the hand. Only the children recognized this indication and found the hidden toy.
Just as well or even superior were however the Chimpanzee and Orangutans, if it concerned physical abilities – for instance the use of tools. It succeeded to the ape for example better to arrive with a stick on far fodder away lying. The children however had problems to procure with the aid toy that outside of their range lay.
Learn by imitation
Also in a further attempt, the children’s were subject: The scientists hide Lecheries under one of three cups and moved these as back and forth instantly. With the play the Chimpanzee found the fodder often rather. “We had not expected, said that in such a way” gentleman man. “You found hidden fodder faster, added small sums better and used tools repeatedly. .”
However humans can up-get these arrears by learning. “Because we learn from others, behavior from to crib and it to imitate, we can be so fast so much more intelligent than apes”, said project manager Michael Tomasello. Humans on a lonely island without fellow men and culture against it on ape level to always remain, since he can learn from none, assumes it.
Evolution of higher thinking achievements
For the researchers that is a clear proof for the fact that only humans possess higher social abilities. This culture intelligence in such a way specified makes it for humans possible only to live together in a society in which they must cooperate with others, explains the scientists.
The behavior of dogs, which live together for a long time with humans, shows an amazing voucher for this theory. In physical-cognitive things they are far under laid for apes. If it concerns however to interpret the behavior from humans to they strike Chimpanzee and Orangutans clearly. In order to understand the development of social cognitive abilities better, the researchers want to examine also the ability to think of other kinds of ape. Thus they hope to be able to have a feeling for the evolution of higher thinking achievements.
