Deck 10: Communication and Cognition

Question 1

What is the most effective mode of communication that primates use for long- distance spacing?

A) Tactile
B) Visual
C) Olfactory
D) Vocal

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which group of primates has the most limited repertory of facial expressions?

A) Prosimians
B) Platyrrhines
C) Catarrhines
D) Hominoids

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Sound spectrograms demonstrate that gibbon vocalizations:

A) Are indistinguishable across different species
B) Differ between species, but are identical in all populations of the same species
C) Differ between species and between populations of the same species
D) Differ between populations of the same species, but are similar across species

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Pheromones are:

A) Hormones that all primates produce
B) Volatile fatty acids secreted in response to circulating hormones
C) Intentional signals that can be used to deceive other individuals
D) Exemplified by the elevated levels of prolactin male and female primates produce

Question 5

Long distance calls tend to be:

A) Low in frequency
B) High in frequency
C) Given more often during the middle of the day
D) Given more often when population densities are low

Question 6

Chimpanzee pant-grunts are:

A) Indistinguishable among individuals
B) Variable vocalizations used in close-range communication
C) Used in long-distance communication
D) Similar to the "babbling" of infant pygmy marmosets

Question 7

Alarms calls and "trill" vocalizations:

A) Are used in long-distance communication
B) Are used in close-range communication
C) Are given in appropriate contexts from birth
D) Appear to be learned

Question 8

Cross-fostering experiments involve:

A) Placing an infant and an adult male of the same species together
B) Reintroducing captive bred primates into the wild
C) Rearing an infant of one species with members of another species
D) Breeding closely related species to produce hybrid offspring

Question 9

The silence maintained by male chimpanzees on patrols of their community's range:

A) Is atypical; usually they are extremely noisy at these times
B) Appears to be an example of voluntary control
C) Reduces their ability to detect intruders
D) Is typical of chimpanzees in other contexts

Question 10

Imitation:

A) Requires an ability to understand cause-effect relationships
B) Takes longer than trial-and-error learning
C) Has been observed in experimental studies with both monkeys and apes
D) Is an ability that distinguishes primates from other mammals

Question 11

Field experiments of moustached tamarins have found:

A) A positive relationship between the amount of food left on feeding platforms and the ranging patterns of the monkeys
B) Carry over from one day to the next in the monkeys' experience with different feeding platforms
C) That the monkeys return to a feeding platform later in the day independent of whether they encountered food there in the morning
D) Evidence of decision making rules on a day-to-day basis depending on whether or not they encountered food at a feeding platform in the morning

Question 12

Tool-sets of chimpanzees:

A) Are similar to those used by gorillas
B) Are similar across populations independent of the availability of material and food
C) Involve the use of two or more tools in association
D) Involve the use of tools in social displays

Question 13

Social models of cognitive evolution emphasize:

A) The complex spatial distributions of primate food resources
B) The complex social relationships primates maintain
C) The sophisticated use of tools by many primates
D) The tendency of females and immatures to introduce technological innovations into their groups

Question 14

Tactical deception:

A) Is beneficial to both the actor and the recipient
B) Has been observed in hominoids and tool-using monkeys
C) Is linked to possessing a theory of mind
D) Refers to the spatial abilities of primates

Question 15

The reintroduction of golden lion tamarins, or GLTs, into the wild:

A) Was originally designed for retired research subjects
B) Has failed because the monkeys have never been able to breed
C) Involved translocating isolated populations from one forest to another
D) Involved the successful return of captive-bred monkeys to their natural habitat

Question 16

Describe the different contexts in which each of the four modes of primate communication are used.

Question 17

Contrast what is known about the different cognitive abilities of monkeys and apes, using specific examples for each.

Question 18

Explain the rationales behind ecological and social models of the evolution of primate cognitive abilities.

Question 19

Field playback experiments have been used in a variety of ways to understand primate communication and cognitive abilities. (a) Describe two such studies on different primate species, and discuss the major findings from each. b) Now, consider the ethical concerns and how research has (or should) reduce any risks to the primates.

Question 20

Briefly discuss the risks of reintroductions and translocation projects for endangered primates, and evaluate the conditions under which such risks might be justified.

Question 21

Define what is meant by the "Theory of Mind" and explain its importance to primate social behavior.