| Captive chimpanzees use their right hand to communicate with each other: implications for the origin of the cerebral substrate for language. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19327761 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Whether precursors of the left-lateralization for human language can be found in the vocal and gestural communication systems of nonhuman primates remains a topic of intense research, particularly within theoretical discussions of the evolutionary origins of language. Although previous studies in chimpanzees have reported evidence of right-handedness for inter-species food-beg gestures produced exclusively toward humans, some might question the generality of these results to intra-species communicative signals. To address this issue, we recorded hand use in 70 captive chimpanzees for species-typical signals, that could be directed either toward conspecifics or humans. We found evidence of a predominance of right-handedness for species-typical gestures in captive chimpanzees when directed to both humans and conspecifics. Hand preferences during intra-species communication were significantly and positively correlated with gestures directed toward humans. By contrast, hand preferences for gestures did not significantly correlate with hand use for a non-communicative self-directed action. The collective results suggest (a) that evidence of predominance of right-handedness for human-directed gestures communication is not specific to this context and (b) the existence of a specific communicative system involving gestures constitutes an ideal prerequisite for the cerebral substrates of human language and its typical left-lateralization. |
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Authors:
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Adrien Meguerditchian; Jacques Vauclair; William D Hopkins |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2009-03-10 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior Volume: 46 ISSN: 1973-8102 ISO Abbreviation: Cortex Publication Date: 2010 Jan |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-12-01 Completed Date: 2010-01-05 Revised Date: 2011-07-19 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0100725 Medline TA: Cortex Country: Italy |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 40-8 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Psychology, Research Center in the Psychology of Cognition, Language and Emotion, Aix-Marseille University, Aix-en-Provence, France. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Analysis of Variance Animal Communication* Animals Biological Evolution Female Functional Laterality / physiology* Gestures* Language* Male Pan troglodytes / physiology* Social Environment Species Specificity |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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HD-38051/HD/NICHD NIH HHS; HD-56232/HD/NICHD NIH HHS; NS-36605/NS/NINDS NIH HHS; NS-42867/NS/NINDS NIH HHS; P01 HD038051-010005/HD/NICHD NIH HHS; R01 HD056232-03/HD/NICHD NIH HHS; R01 NS036605-08/NS/NINDS NIH HHS; R01 NS042867-08/NS/NINDS NIH HHS; RR-00165/RR/NCRR NIH HHS |
| Comments/Corrections | |
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