Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2007

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Primate Behavior

Committee Chair

Dr. Mary Lee A. Jensvold, Department of Psychology

Second Committee Member

Dr. Lori K. Sheeran, Department of Anthropology

Third Committee Member

Dr. Andrew A. Piacsek, Science Honors Research Program

Abstract

Play is ubiquitous in mammals, and argued to occur across many taxa includ­ing birds, non-avian reptiles, and invertebrates. Laughter is common in human inter­actions, and growing evidence from chimpanzees, rats, and dogs may mean it is also common among mammals (at least). Humor in non-humans is less well studied, though theoretical work and anecdotes exist. This study examined play, laughter, and humor using a longitudinal dataset of narrative shift reports collected over more than 1,300 days in a unique family of non-human animals, chimpanzees who use Ameri­can Sign Language to communicate. Play was more common when young males were present as partners; though an adult female played very frequently as well. Laughter followed the established social hierarchy, was more common during con­tact play, and then when a chimpanzee was the recipient of contact. Humor in these chimpanzees followed the themes of much of human humor: dominance, aggression, scatology, and incongruity.

Comments

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