Primate Intelligence Human Beings Brain Capacity Questions
Choose one of the topics for this week’s discussion. There are now three options!
Choice 1: How Do We Study Primate Intelligence?
Science tests hypotheses, whether with controlled laboratory conditions or fieldwork. Researchers have approached the issue of primate intelligence through various hypotheses, from predicting that they can be taught human culture, or that they will be observed in their natural environment doing intelligent behaviors. Based on the research described in the textbook on primate intelligence, such as with culture or language (Chapter 6), think of how you would design a study to learn about primate intelligence.
Initial Post
Answer all of the following questions.
- What is one way that you could observe primate intelligence scientifically?
- What is your hypothesis? In other words, what do you expect to see if you make your study a reality?
- Is your study more appropriate for fieldwork or laboratory work? Why?
The initial post should be at least 200 words. Have your initial post by the end of Wednesday.
Replies
- Read the posts of at least two other students who proposed their own study.
- Add to the conversation by building off of their idea. Could they expand or tweak their study to be even better?.
There is no minimum word limit for replies, but they should go beyond a simple “Cool idea!” or “Same here.” Have your replies submitted by the end of Saturday.
Choice 2: People Are Primates Too!
We study primates in biological anthropology because they provide clues about our own origins. We humans have our own derived traits that make our hominin branch unique, but we also have a lot of primitive primate traits as well. This discussion topic gets us to look at our own traits and see how they relate to those of other primates.
Initial Post
Answer these questions:
- What are two traits humans have that we share with the other primate branches?
- What is one trait humans have that other modern primates do not possess, or possess at a less advanced level? Also, what environmental situation do you think the unique human trait could be an adaptation for?
The initial post should be at least 200 words. Have your initial post by the end of Wednesday.
Replies
- Read the posts of at least two other students who gave their own example traits.
- Respond with your own comment on your classmates’ post.
There is no minimum word limit for replies, but they should go beyond a simple “Good analysis” or “I chose that too.” Have your replies submitted by the end of Saturday.
Choice 3: Ape Personhood?
Apes: bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans are our closest living primate relatives. For this reason, they have been used as laboratory test animals to test new products such as medications. In recent years, the idea of ape personhood has gained ground as a reaction to ape laboratory testing and other forms of captivity. Supporters of ape personhood, such as primatologist Jane Goodall, want apes to be granted limited legal rights as ‘persons.’ As persons, it would be illegal to hold an ape captive. While the concept may seem odd, remember that corporations are treated as persons under the law with limited rights as well. Still, research on apes may bring advances to medical and veterinary science that would be harder to achieve without laboratory animal testing.
Initial Post
Explore this topic and let us know your thoughts, based on what you have learned this week. Do what we know about the biology and cultural capacity of apes support or refute the concept of ape personhood? It may help to search for articles on ape personhood online to get more information on both sides of the debate. While that could help shape your opinion, keep in mind that is not the final say on the issue.
The initial post should be at least 200 words. Have your initial post by the end of Wednesday.
Replies
- Read the posts of at least two other students who gave their thoughts on this issue.
- Add to the conversation by asking a question, sharing an online article, or adding your own input to the debate.
There is no minimum word limit for replies, but they should go beyond a simple “I think so too!” or “Same here.” Have your replies submitted by the end of Saturday.