VIDEO-TASK ACQUISITION IN RHESUS-MONKEYS (MACACA-MULATTA) AND CHIMPANZEES (PAN-TROGLODYTES) - A COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS

This study describes video-task acquisition in two nonhuman primate sp ecies. The subjects were seven rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and sev en chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). All subjects were trained to manipul ate a joystick which controlled a cursor displayed on a computer monit or. Two criterion levels were used: one based on conceptual knowledge of the task and one based on motor performance. Chimpanzees and rhesus monkeys attained criterion in a comparable number of trials using a c onceptually based criterion. However, using a criterion based on motor performance, chimpanzees reached criterion significantly faster than rhesus monkeys. Analysis of error patterns and latency indicated that the rhesus monkeys had a larger asymmetry in response bias and were si gnificantly slower in responding than the chimpanzees. The results are discussed in terms of the relation between object manipulation skills and video-task acquisition.