Document Type
Thesis
Date of Degree Completion
Spring 2023
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Primate Behavior
Committee Chair
Mary Lee Jensvold
Second Committee Member
Jessica Mayhew
Third Committee Member
Lori K. Sheeran
Abstract
Play is one of the many behavioral contexts in a chimpanzee’s repertoire. Chimpanzees engage in complex social play behaviors and produce various types of signals during play. Behavioral matching of signals appears in several primate species. Matching signals during play may help facilitate social play interactions and maintain play bouts. Previous researchers have examined matching in various types of play signals during play bouts in primates, but a limited number of researchers have assessed on how matching gesture signals affect duration in play bouts. In this study, matching gestures, gesture types and play bout durations were recorded in chimpanzee groups from three African sanctuaries. This study analyzed the presence of matching gestures and the duration of play bouts. The results showed that the duration of play bouts was significantly longer when matched gestures were present, compared to play bouts where matched gestures were absent. These findings can help us understand the role of matching behaviors in social play.
Recommended Citation
Lopez, Naylea, "The Influence of Behaviorally Matched Play Gestures on the Duration of Social Play Bouts in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)" (2023). All Master's Theses. 1884.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/1884
Included in
Animal Studies Commons, Biological and Physical Anthropology Commons, Cognitive Science Commons, Other Communication Commons