The Mentalities of Gorillas and Orangutans: Comparative Perspectives [Hardcover]

Sue Taylor Parker (Editor), Robert W. Mitchell (Editor), H. Lyn Miles (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0521580277 | ISBN-13: 978-0521580274 0

Research on the mental abilities of chimpanzees and bonobos has been widely celebrated and used in reconstructions of human evolution. In contrast, scant attention has been paid to the abilities of gorillas and orangutans. This volume aims to complete the picture of hominoid cognition by bringing together the work on gorillas and orangutans and setting it in comparative perspective. This book's introductory chapters set the evolutionary context for comparing cognition in gorillas and orangutans to that of chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans. The remaining chapters focus primarily on the kinds and levels of intelligence displayed by orangutans and gorillas compared to other great apes, including performances in the classic domains of tool use and tool making, imitation, self awareness, social communication, and symbol use.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an excellent volume, chock full of information and perspectives on some of our closest relatives. Highly recommended for professional anthropologists and psychologists." Choice

"The Mentalities of Gorillas and Orangutans is a dynamic collection of technical papers that casts a bright light onto the depth and breadth of these two genera of great apes...this book fills a longstanding knowledge gap. Leading experts in the field of primate cognition and intelligence, Sue Taylor Parker, Robert W. Mitchell, and H. Lyn Miles draw together a cast of talented investigators...to bring ground-breaking cognitive and behavioral research on gorillas and orangutans to the forefront in this dense, fact-filled volume." Bioscience

"...this book provides some valuable information about the cognitive abilities of gorillas and orangutans. It is important to recognize that chimpanzees are not our only 'sibling species', and that research on great ape cognition should reflect the close evolutionary relationships between all the great apes and humans. This volume is a good first step in that direction." Ethology

"The authors of the present volume are to be commended for providing such a rich reference resource in support of the goal of integrating data across primate-including human primate-species." APA Review of Books

Book Description

Studies on chimpanzee and bonobo mental abilities have been widely used to explore the evolution of human intelligence, but gorilla and orangutan research has been neglected. This unique volume rectifies the situation to complete the picture of human cognitive evolution. It explores the differences between these animals, amongst our closest living relatives, and compares them directly with human children to enable the reader to fully understand how human intelligence might have evolved. It will be essential reading for graduate students and researchers in comparative psychology, biological anthropology and cognitive science.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521580277
• ISBN-13: 978-0521580274
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,723,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)