A Chimpanzee named Megan, recognizing herself
in a mirror
Gordon G. Gallup, Jr., then of Tulane University and
currently of the State University of New York at Albany, prepares
an anesthetized chimpanzee for the first formal test of self-recognition
in a non-human. Since then (the late 1960's) this procedure has
come to be known as the "Mark Test."
Yours truly teaching a simultaneous match-to-sample
task to a young chimpanzee. No, it is not uncommon for young chimpanzees
to suck their thumbs!
No, it wasn't all work and no play for either the chimpanzees
or the researchers. Here, Megan and I take a little time out for
a game of tickle and "find the cookies."
The seven chimpanzees I spent a number of years working
with intensively. The results of the work with these animals can
be found in: Povinelli, D.J. & Eddy, T.J. (1996). What young
chimpanzees know about seeing. Monographs of the Society for
Research in Child Development, 61 (2, Serial No. 247).
When working with chimpanzees, it is sometimes difficult
to determine just who is studying who. I think this picture captures
that sentiment perfectly.
