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Smart Chimp
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Who is smarter and who has better memory, chimps or humans?
Mar 16, 2008 12:15 PM
Re: Smart Chimp
I'm curious to know how much practice prior to testing the humans were allowed, and whether it was on par with the practice the chimps were allowed.
I suspect the chimps had to have been extensively taught how to perform the task, while the humans simply had to be told. That seems like a fairly obvious confounding variable.
Though, to be fair, this news coverage was, as with all news, very concentrated, and I know not all the details of this study. Anyone know, off the top of their heads, if the experimenters addressed the above problem before I go searching?
I suspect the chimps had to have been extensively taught how to perform the task, while the humans simply had to be told. That seems like a fairly obvious confounding variable.
Though, to be fair, this news coverage was, as with all news, very concentrated, and I know not all the details of this study. Anyone know, off the top of their heads, if the experimenters addressed the above problem before I go searching?
By: DRATM
Re: Smart Chimp
No hard data on the experiment but a little speculation. I truly believe that the mores of human society are a burden upon intellect. Chimpanzees have no such hinderance.
By: spam_vigilante
Re: Smart Chimp
Very true.
I have long lost hope for humanity, but there are other factors that may contribute to human performance lacking in this test; feelings of doubt, self-analysis of performance, distraction... All very much products of society, though, come to think of it.
I have long lost hope for humanity, but there are other factors that may contribute to human performance lacking in this test; feelings of doubt, self-analysis of performance, distraction... All very much products of society, though, come to think of it.
By: DRATM
Re: Smart Chimp
man if i was the human taking the test, i would have thrown my poop at the chimp in frustration pretty quickly.
By: hypersapien
Re: Smart Chimp
Maybe they should use a better reward for people, then. Something we care about. Like beer or blow or money.
By: BoogeBoogieston
