Great ape cognition is structured by stable cognitive abilities and predicted by developmental conditions.

ABSTRACT: Great ape cognition is used as a reference point to specify the evolutionary origins of complex cognitive abilities, including in humans. This research often assumes that great ape cognition consists of cognitive abilities (traits) that account for stable differences between individuals, which change and develop in response to experience. Here, we test the validity of these assumptions by assessing repeatability of cognitive performance among captive great apes (Gorilla gorilla, Pongo abelii, Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes) in five tasks covering a range of cognitive domains. We examine whether individual characteristics (age, group, test experience) or transient situational factors (life events, testing arrangements or sociality) influence cognitive performance. Our results show that task-

SUBMITTER: Bohn M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10250201 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature