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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Chimps don't ape generosity of humans |
| 2005-11-01 |
| Chimps may be our closest relatives, but you wouldn't want to rely on one in a pinch. Apparently, they don't share the human willingness to do favors for others. A team of scientists led by Joan B. Silk of the University of California, Los Angeles conducted two sets of experiments with chimps in captivity in Texas and Louisiana to measure their propensity for altruism. More than two dozen were presented with an apparatus that gave them two options: They could choose to get food only for themselves, or they could get food in a way that also gave some to another chimp. The chimps, though, were no more inclined to go for the option that gave food to another chimp even if they knew the other chimp. Because chimps collaborate in a variety of ways, researchers suspected they would share the human penchant for altruism. The study however, may indicate that such behavior is "tied to sophisticated capacities for cultural learning, theory of mind, perspective taking and moral judgment," the researchers wrote. Or not. Mebbe they're just mean little bastards, but then I'm not looking for a grant. |
| Posted by:.com |
| #6 Generosity is an inborn trait. Altruism is a learned perversion. LL. Nice experiment, though. |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2005-11-01 13:05 |
| #5 Apparently, they don't share the human willingness to do favors for others. They should've just asked Lancelot Link for his take on this... |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-11-01 10:12 |
| #4 tu, it's a comparative study: chimps v. researchers at the craps tables. Who wins? Who cares! Showgirls and free booze all 'round! |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2005-11-01 09:46 |
| #3 The study however, may indicate that such behavior is "tied to sophisticated capacities for cultural learning, theory of mind, perspective taking and moral judgment," the researchers wrote. Conclusion: We're on the verge of a major breakthrough here. Send us lots and lots of money so we can continue our vital research. Our next study: Can chimps play blackjack in Vegas? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2005-11-01 09:29 |
| #2 Absolutely ******g amazing. A California research team discovers baboons think differently than people. I wonder how may millions of dollars that piece of information cost the taxpayers. I wish those researchers would catch a little alturim and go get real jobs. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2005-11-01 08:12 |
| #1 Chimps, why do they hate themselves? If they were enlightened intelligent feeling Progressives they would share (tax each other). |
| Posted by: BrerRabbit 2005-11-01 07:50 |