Behavioral synchronization as social foundation in chimpanzees and humans: A comparative cognitive approach

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26730074
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cognitive science
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Hattori Yuko 京都大学, 野生動物研究センター, 特定助教 (60621670)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: チンパンジー / リズム同調 / 社会的知性 / 比較認知科学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Humans frequently use behavioral synchronization such as dancing or singing, when we aim to make storing bonding relationship. In this study, I conducted a series of experiments to explore evolutionary origins of behavioral synchronization in chimpanzees and humans. I found that chimpanzees, as well as humans also have tendency to synchronize their tapping onset to external auditory beat. I also found that auditory stimuli induced rhythmic coordination with the beat in chimpanzees. Several species differences were also found such as sex difference in response to auditory stimuli and sensitivity to timing of onset of auditory stimuli. However, results suggest that basic cognitive foundation for rhythmic synchronization to auditory beat is shared between chimpanzees and humans.

Free Research Field

比較認知科学