Behavioral and Brain Sciences



Open Peer Commentary

Identifying the motivations of chimpanzees: Culture and collaboration


Victoria Horner a1, Kristin E. Bonnie a2 and Frans B. M. de Waal a2
a1 Center for Social Learning and Cognitive Evolution, University of St Andrews, Fife KY16 9JU, Scotland vkh1@st-andrews.ac.uk http://psy.st-andrews.ac.uk/people/res/vkh1.shtml
a2 Living Links, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 kebonni@emory.edu dewaal@emory.edu http://www.emory.edu/LIVING_LINKS/Bonnie.html http://www.emory.edu/LIVING_LINKS/de_Waal.html

Abstract

Tomasello et al. propose that shared intentionality is a uniquely human ability. In light of this, we discuss several cultural behaviors that seem to result from a motivation to share experiences with others, suggest evidence for coordination and collaboration among chimpanzees, and cite recent findings that counter the argument that the predominance of emulation in chimpanzees reflects a deficit in intention reading.