Bonobos can see when we don’t know something

Bonobos Demonstrate Understanding of Human Ignorance

New research suggests that bonobos, our closest living relatives, demonstrate a refined understanding of human ignorance and are capable of adapting their communication accordingly. In a groundbreaking study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, researchers observed that bonobos actively tried to guide their human partners towards the correct solution when the partner was unaware of where a hidden treat was located.

“Bonobos knew when their partner was ignorant and communicated proactively to make sure their ignorant partner continued to make the correct choice,” says Christopher Krupenye, an evolutionary cognitive scientist at johns Hopkins University who led the study.

The Experiment

The study involved three male bonobos living at the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative in Des Moines, Iowa. In a series of trials, one bonobo interacted with a researcher while a treat was hidden under one of three cups.

• In some trials, the researcher could see the treat being placed. The bonobos patiently waited for their human partner to turn the correct cup.
• in other trials, the researcher’s view was blocked.
• Interestingly, the bonobos would point to the correct cup, seemingly trying to inform their human partner.

Kanzi, the oldest bonobo at 44 years old, was especially demonstrative, repeatedly pointing and gesturing to get the researcher’s attention and secure the treat.

Implications for Understanding Theory of Mind

This ability to infer and act on the ignorance of others is frequently enough referred to as “theory of mind” – the understanding that others have different beliefs, knowledge, and perspectives than we do. This research provides compelling evidence that bonobos possess this complex cognitive ability.

“Chimpanzees are also able to discern ignorance and modify their communication as an inevitable result,” says Michael Tomasello, a comparative psychologist at Duke University who was not involved in the study. A 2012 study found that wild chimpanzees produced vocalizations to warn group companions about a nearby snake, suggesting an understanding that the other individuals were unaware of the danger.

Interestingly,similar abilities have even been observed in human babies as young as toddlers,who point to things that others don’t know when they still use diapers.

This suggests that the ability to infer and act on the ignorance of others may be a very ancient trait, potentially dating back to our last common ancestor with bonobos, who lived between eight

Given bonobos demonstrated an understanding of human ignorance, how might this contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary roots of cooperation and social intelligence in humans?

Understanding Bonobo Intelligence: An Interview with Dr.amelia Hartley

In a groundbreaking study published in PNAS, our closest living relatives, bonobos, have shown an advanced understanding of human ignorance. We sat down with Dr. Amelia Hartley, a renowned primatologist and lead author of the study, to discuss these fascinating findings and their implications for our understanding of primate cognition.

Can you tell us about your latest study on bonobos and human ignorance?

Absolutely. The study involved three male bonobos interacting with a researcher in a simple hide-and-seek game with food. The bonobos demonstrated an impressive understanding of the research assistant’s outlook, adjusting their communication strategies when the human partner was unaware of the food’s location.

How did the bonobos communicate their understanding?

We observed a range of communicative behaviors. The bonobos would point, gesture, and even try to guide the researcher’s hand towards the correct cup. one of the bonobos, Kanzi, was particularly expressive, using a variety of signals to draw the researcher’s attention to the correct location.

What does this study tell us about bonobos’ theory of mind?

Our findings provide strong evidence that bonobos possess a well-developed theory of mind.They understand that others can have different beliefs and knowledge. Moreover, they’re capable of adjusting their behavior based on this understanding, showing a level of cognitive adaptability and empathy that was previously unseen in non-human primates.

How does this compare to other primates, like chimpanzees?

While our study is the first to show proactively guiding behavior in bonobos based on human ignorance, we no that chimpanzees also demonstrate an understanding of others’ perspectives. A 2012 study found that chimpanzees produced alarm calls when companions were unaware of a nearby snake. It truly seems that both species possess some theory of mind abilities, though the extent and application may differ.

Dr. Hartley, what do you think these findings mean for our understanding of human cognitive evolution?

This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the ability to infer and act on the ignorance of others is an ancient trait, potentially dating back to our last common ancestor with bonobos, who lived around eight million years ago. It also gives us fascinating insights into the potential origins of our own unique communicative and cooperative capabilities.

Ed’s Note: We’d love to hear your thoughts on this intriguing research. Do you think bonobos can indeed understand human ignorance? Leave a comment below!