Chimpanzee Learning: Factors of Cumulative Learned Behaviors

Student Illustrator: Michael Anyaibe

Student Author: Joseph Smith

The purpose of this paper is to explain how chimpanzees use social learning to create hunting techniques and traditions based around tool use.  Chimpanzees are social primates with an incredible ability to learn through participation and observation.  As such, they tend to share their techniques for each task with their progeny and troop.  In the process of sharing learned behaviors with their progeny, chimpanzees may create a tradition.  These teachings may include tool use and modification or techniques for hunting.  While culture is questionable in such a species, their innate problem-solving abilities may have given rise to a tool-based culture specific to subspecies and location.  The greater question is: How much of their problem-solving ability is biological, environmental, or social?

This is part of the Annual Poster Session, a collaboration between the Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice Department and the Media Arts and Technologies Department, featuring work by social science and illustration students.