You have just completed a study of chimpanzee tool use. You noticed that young chimpanzees accompanied females to sites where tools and termites were available and females practiced termite fishing. Young chimpanzees usually watched their mothers carefully while they made tools and fed. If these chimpanzees grow up to termite fish themselves, you can conclude that this behavior was passed on through which mechanism?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Observational learning is the process of learning by watching others' behaviors and outcomes. In this scenario, the young chimpanzees are observing their mothers' termite fishing behaviors, and if they grow up to termite fish themselves, it is likely due to observational learning. Active teaching involves deliberate instruction or guidance from a more experienced individual, which is not evident in this scenario. Social facilitation refers to the phenomenon of increased performance in the presence of others, which may not apply in this case. Imitation is a component of observational learning, but on its own does not accurately explain the passing on of the termite fishing behavior.

You Have Just Completed a Study of Chimpanzee Tool Use