Chimp vs Human! | Memory Test | BBC Earth

Summary

At Japan's Primate Research Institute, scientists conduct intelligence tests to explore chimpanzee cognitive abilities. In one memory test, chimps like Ayumu outperform human participants, including the institute's director, Chris, who struggles to recall numbers in the correct order. Despite practice, Ayumu consistently excels, showing remarkable working memory. While chimps may not be smarter than humans overall, their memory and problem-solving skills suggest their cognition excels in certain areas. Dr. Nick Newton-Fisher, who studies chimps in the wild, argues that chimps are highly specialized in their mental abilities, just as humans are in theirs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chimpanzees, like Ayumu, have shown superior working memory abilities compared to humans in tests at the Primate Research Institute (PRI) in Japan.
• 😀 In a memory test, chimp Ayumu consistently performed better than a human, Chris, who struggled to recall numbers in the correct order.
• 😀 The test involved memorizing the positions of numbers 1 to 9 on a touchscreen, with the numbers hidden after being touched.
• 😀 Chris, a college graduate and crossword addict, only correctly recalled the sequence once in 30 attempts, highlighting his difficulty with working memory.
• 😀 Ayumu, on the other hand, accurately recalled the numbers in ascending order almost 90% of the time, demonstrating exceptional memory skills.
• 😀 Even when compared to human students who received practice, Ayumu consistently outperformed them in the same test.
• 😀 Other chimpanzees at PRI also showed strong computer skills, with some coming close to Ayumu’s performance.
• 😀 The average memory performance of the chimpanzees was found to be higher than that of humans in similar tests.
• 😀 Dr. Nick Newton-Fisher, a chimpanzee expert, suggests that chimpanzees may possess unique cognitive abilities that are different from humans.
• 😀 The results suggest that chimpanzees may be better suited for certain tasks that involve memory and cognition, while humans excel in other areas.
• 😀 The study challenges the notion that chimpanzees are simply primitive versions of humans, highlighting their distinct evolutionary path.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the intelligence test conducted at the Primate Research Institute?

The primary focus of the test is working memory, which is the brain's ability to temporarily store and use information.

How is the working memory test conducted for chimpanzees at the Primate Research Institute?

In the test, numbers 1 to 9 are randomly displayed on a touch screen. The chimpanzee memorizes the layout, and then after touching one number, the other numbers are hidden. The chimp must then recall and touch the remaining numbers in ascending order.

How did Chris, the human volunteer, perform in the working memory test?

Chris, despite being a college graduate and a crossword enthusiast, struggled with the test. In 30 attempts, he only managed to correctly recall all the numbers in order once.

How did Ayumu, the chimpanzee, perform in the same working memory test?

Ayumu excelled in the test, correctly recalling the numbers nearly 90% of the time, outperforming Chris and other human participants.

What was the outcome when Ayumu competed against human students who had practiced the test?

Even when Ayumu competed against human students who had regular practice sessions, Ayumu still outperformed all of them.

What does the performance of chimpanzees in the test suggest about their cognitive abilities?

The performance suggests that chimpanzees may have superior working memory abilities compared to humans, at least in this specific task.

Does the success of chimpanzees in the working memory test mean they are 'cleverer' than humans?

Not necessarily. The test results suggest that chimpanzees may excel in certain cognitive tasks, but this does not imply they are generally 'cleverer' than humans. Humans excel in other areas of intelligence.

What is Dr. Nick Newton-Fisher's perspective on the cognitive abilities of chimpanzees?

Dr. Newton-Fisher explains that chimpanzees are not 'primitive furry humans' but a distinct species that evolved along their own path. This means they may have cognitive abilities suited to their evolutionary needs, which could be better in some areas compared to humans.

What is the significance of the chimpanzees' superior performance in this test?

The superior performance suggests that chimpanzees' brains may be specialized for certain types of cognitive tasks, like working memory, which could be an evolutionary advantage for their survival and behavior.

How does the study contribute to our understanding of intelligence across species?

The study highlights that intelligence is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It shows that different species, like chimpanzees and humans, may excel in different cognitive areas due to their unique evolutionary histories and environmental needs.