Work

Do chimpanzees have voluntary control of their facial expressions and vocalizations?

Year: 2011

Type: book-chapter

Abstract: It has been argued that only humans have volitional control of their vocalizations and that this ability allowed for the evolution of speech. Here we argue that recent studies in chimpanzees suggest that they do, in fact have some degree of voluntary control of both their vocalizations as well as their facial expressions. We further argue, based on recent studies, that chimpanzees understand the functional significance of using vocalizations or sounds in communicative and social contexts, specifically as a means of obtaining the attention of an otherwise inattentive human. The ability of chimpanzees to voluntarily produce vocal signals and functionally manipulate social agents with them may be an important precursor in the evolution of human spoken language.

Source: Advances in interaction studies

DOI: 10.1075/ais.1.05hop

Authors: William D. Hopkins, Jared Taglialatela, David A. Leavens

Institutions: Agnes Scott College, Kennesaw State University, Emory National Primate Research Center, University of Sussex

Language: English

Topic: Primate Behavior and Ecology

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W58417081

FWCI: 18.63

Cites: 68

Cited by: 51

Related to: 10