Differences in the nonverbal requests of great apes and human infants.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
This study investigated how great apes and human infants use imperative pointing to request objects. In a series of three experiments (infants, N = 44; apes, N = 12), subjects were given the opportunity to either point to a desired object from a distance or else to approach closer and request it proximally. The apes always approached close to the object, signaling their request through instrumental actions. In contrast, the infants quite often stayed at a distance, directing the experimenters' attention to the desired object through index-finger pointing, even when the object was in the open and they could obtain it by themselves. Findings distinguish 12-month-olds' imperative pointing from ontogenetic and phylogenetic earlier forms of ritualized reaching.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- van der Goot, MH; Tomasello, M; Liszkowski, U
Published Date
- March 2014
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 85 / 2
Start / End Page
- 444 - 455
PubMed ID
- 23901779
Pubmed Central ID
- 23901779
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1467-8624
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0009-3920
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1111/cdev.12141
Language
- eng