4 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
4 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Baboons leave scientists spell-bound

by MoneyMagnetMagnate
3 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
Baboons can recognise scores of written words, a feat that raises intriguing questions about how we learn to read, scientists report.

The six baboons used the computers up to 3000 times a day, notching up an average total of 50,000 "trials" over a month and a half.

They learned to distinguish scores of words, identifying them with an accuracy of 75 per cent, according to the study led by Jonathan Grainger at the Cognitive Research Laboratory at France's Aix-Marseille University .

There were 500 real words and 7832 nonsense ones in the data bank.
Read more:Baboons leave scientists spell-bound › News in Science (ABC Science)
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Just one more proof that animals are smarter than we give them credit for - and that we aren't as smart as we think.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6040287].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Just one more proof that animals are smarter than we give them credit for - and that we aren't as smart as we think.
      HECK YEAH! NO characteristic used to define humans as human, based on ablity, is valid!

      HECK, humans have more untaped potential early on, than they do later, and it starts to taper off. Studies have shown that that is MORE extreme with chimps! Granted it may be biased, a little unfair, etc... but it apparently takes longer for the average human to surpass a chimp in basic mental abilities! GRANTED humans eventually surpass chimps because chimps don't have as big a society, a written record, as complicated a language, or grow as far mentally, but it still pokes BIG holes in the "OH, it's just INSTINCT!" crowd.

      Chimps apparently are also more able to to reason and use tools at such an early age. AND, of course, they are hominids, and have opposable thumbs. They have ALSO been shown to have ALL the "human" emotions, react the same way, have an almost spiritual life, etc... ALSO, their language apparently IS far more complex than people know. I mean they have actually seen chimps plan and travel to attack OTHER chimps.

      Chimps teach, etc... Of course, even BIRDS do a lot more than people think. Even ANTS do! It really is astounding. I mean how big can the brain of an ant be, and look at wha THEY do!

      Steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6040375].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    I was going to add this piece added to the Sasquatch thread by Aaron Jones...

    Look at the story on a test of a chimps' counting and memory acuity starting about 5:05...

    Originally Posted by AaronJones View Post

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6040353].message }}

Trending Topics