The Thinking Ape Primate Communication And Human Evolution

The Thinking Ape: Primate Communication and Human Evolution By szeigler | Studymode.com The Thinking Ape: Primate Communication Human Evolution Human behavior is so enigmatic and multifaceted that it s difficult to connect it to past influences, but how did we become the linguistic, cultured, and hugely successful animals that we are? Our closest relatives — the mentally complex and socially skilled primates--offer insightful clues. The language competence of non-human primates is one of the most controversial issues in present-day linguistics, with disbelief ranging from bored indifference to caustic accusations of fraud. By definition, language is any system of formalized symbols, signs, sounds, gestures, or the like used or conceived as a means of communicating thought, emotion, etc. An evaluation of primate behavior demonstrates true emotions, feelings, planning and communication, that not only other primates understand, but humans can understand as well. This is far beyond primates mimicking their counterparts, and evidence strongly suggests that there is much more thoughts and feelings linked to their human like communicative abilities. (King 1999.) Human beings behave in ways that are deeply unique; such as creating art, music, solving mathematical equations, planning for the future and developing religions. These behavior patterns have led many to believe that modern humans stand apart from the rest of nature. Regardless of those differences, human beings â€Å"are oneShow MoreRelatedHuman Primates And Human Primate1661 Words   |  7 Pagesthe behavior of non-human primate and human primate in the literature and movies we went over, compared to the evolutionary understandings of primate behavior. Throughout this class we studied and compared the different primates, including human and non-humans. According to the Wikipedia, â€Å"The primate lineage is thought to go back at least 65 million years ago.† with that one could say that research on non-human and human primate can somehow explain the theory behind evolution. In addition to theRead MoreThe Human Eyes Of Primates1087 Wo rds   |  5 Pagesvariable aspects of the eyes in primates is the sclera. The sclera in primates comes in multiple different pigments and SSI as seen in figure 2. In research on human eyes, evidence concludes that through the sclera, health, age and emotion can be detected; redden or yellow sclera detects decreased health, increased age, and even emotions of sadness or irritation, whereas bright white sclera represents increased overall health [4]. The true purpose for the evolution of the sclera is not completelyRead MoreThe Course Of Human Evolution1676 Words   |  7 PagesThe course of human evolution can be represented by subsequent development of: 1. Australopithecus as the common anthropoid ancestor of the distinct group of hominids 2. Pithecanthropus as the earliest members of Homo also called Homo Habilis or Homo Erectus 3. Palaeoanthropus or Homo Neanderthalensis as the closest predecessor of Homo Sapiens 4. Homo Sapiens as the species to which all modern human beings belong and is the only one from genus Homo that is not extinct. According to modern conceptsRead MoreThe Importance Of Cognition And Its Impact On Human Cognition1249 Words   |  5 PagesWhat exactly is it that makes human beings different and unique? The most important thing that makes humans unique is our cognition. We are the coherent mammals and the one important characteristic that truly measures our nature is that we are a representational group. Humans are truly unique because of our human cognition, including are language and symbolic thought. First, what is cognition? Cognition is how an individual comprehends and behaves within this world. It is a cluster of capabilitiesRead More What Makes Us Human?1718 Words   |  7 PagesHumans are extremely complex and unique beings. We are animals however we often forget our origins and our place in the natural world and consider ourselves superior to nature. Humans are animals but what does it mean to be human? What are the defining characteristics that separate us from other animals? How are we different? Human origins begin with primates, however through evolution we developed unique characteristics such as larger brain sizes, the capacity for language, emotional complexityRead MoreWhat Makes Humans Truly Unique?1551 Words   |  7 PagesWhen asking, â€Å"what is it that makes humans truly unique?† you must first ask yourself what unique means. In the grand scheme of the universe, humans may not be that unique but here on Earth we are very much so. We shape the w orld around us every day, for better or worse. We are by no means the most abundant species on the planet, (that title goes to ants), but we are the only species on Earth protecting other species. So in this case, unique means more progressive and more biologically advancedRead MoreThe Anatomy of Love by Helen Fisher2034 Words   |  8 Pagesthe change from societies to past and future times. The discoveries of why we have mating traits and how they are used in many meanings such as a smile or the way a person speaks with their body. The forces of culture and environment take part in human involvement in the world. While men and women start to change roles and rights are broaden in a marriage. Along comes divorce in which happens so often in societies because of many reasons. What we have inherited is from out ancestors and it repeatsRead MoreAnimal Mind2117 Words   |  9 PagesThis question has been debated for centuries and no clear answer has yet to be decided. By looking at television, comic books, and children’s literature it would seem that animals do think and act intelligently. The fictional characters are given human movements, behavior, and language. In contrast, science, philosophy, and many other academic fields do not believe animals to think, feel, or behave intelligently. Animals are merely machines that have neither feelings nor conscious thought (SchultzRead More Animal Communication Essay example2708 Words   |  11 Pages Throughout this course of study, the concept of language as the demarcation between animals and humans has prevailed. Further, as we have seen in our class readings, many claim that it is through language that our quot;consciousnessquot; and quot;cognitivequot; skills are developed. Accordingly, these skills are necessary for us to interpret and conceptualize our world. What this infers is that because we have these skills and the quot;brutequot; animals do not, animals do not possess theRead More`` Why Look At Animals `` By John Berger, Clifford, And Artists1869 Words   |  8 Pagesof humankind throughout history. Writers such as Julio Cortà ¡zar, Franz Kafka, John Berger, Clifford, and artists as Kate Clark, have all contributed to recognizing how man’s relationship with the animal world has defined his identity as human. Animals and humans share some of the same traits, such as a sense of John Berger’s belief that animals are marginalized both physically and culturally is supported by Descartes’ theory of dualism and the ultimate domestication of animals that leads to their