Experimental field studies with non-human primates
Abstract
One way to study language evolution is to compare human communication with closely related non-human primate species. This comparative approach has turned to be especially productive if subjects are studied under natural field conditions in which they have evolved. Various observation techniques have been developed, but field experiments are often needed to clarify underlying cause-effect relations. Here, I review the main experimental designs that are suitable for primate fieldwork and discuss some scientific advancements that they have generated. Field experiments are notoriously difficult to carry out for a range of reasons that are discussed. Nonetheless, considerable progress has been made in recent years, including with great apes, which have traditionally been neglected in experimental research in the wild.
Citation
Zuberbuehler , K 2014 , ' Experimental field studies with non-human primates ' , Current Opinion in Neurobiology , vol. 28 , pp. 150-156 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2014.07.012
Publication
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0959-4388Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This work is made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. This is the author created, accepted version manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2014.04.004
Description
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 283871.Collections
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