Social tolerance and role model diversity increase tool use learning opportunities across chimpanzee ontogeny.

ABSTRACT: Social learning opportunities shape cognitive skills across species, especially in humans. Although the social environment impacts learning opportunities, the benefits of role model diversity and tolerance on task learning in tool-using species remain poorly understood. To explore these links, we study 2343 peering events (close-range observation of a conspecific) from 35 wild immature (<10 y) chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus). We find that chimpanzee peering functions to acquire information more than food, persists during development while peaking around weaning age, and increases with food processing complexity. Role models change throughout development, with increased peering at mothers during early stages and for more complex tasks. Finally, immatures observe many role models, favour

SUBMITTER: Node-Langlois O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11953367 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature