Sequential learning in non-human primates

Sequential learning plays a role in a variety of common tasks, such as huma n language processing, animal communication, and the learning of action seq uences. In this article, we investigate sequential learning in non-human pr imates from a comparative perspective, focusing on three areas: the learnin g of arbitrary, fixed sequences; statistical learning; and the learning of hierarchical structure. Although primates exhibit many similarities to huma ns in their performance on sequence learning tasks, there are also importan t differences. Crucially, non-human primates appear to be limited in their ability to learn and represent the hierarchical structure of sequences. We consider the evolutionary implications of these differences and suggest tha t limitations in sequential learning may help explain why non-human primate s lack human-like language.