Comments on: Chimps Can Control Urges by Reading Magazines http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/08/chimps-can-control-urges-by-reading-magazines/ The Neat Side of the Web Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:30:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: VonSkippy http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/08/chimps-can-control-urges-by-reading-magazines/#comment-215439 VonSkippy Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:39:55 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/08/chimps-can-control-urges-by-reading-magazines/#comment-215439 The problem is that Behavioral Science tends to be species specific. Although there is a limited amount of overlap, so that in some cases it can be said that if species A does X under Stimulus Y, then Species B can be expected to do the same, in most higher functions (reasoning, emotion, social interaction) studying Chimps and then applying those results to human smacks of Anthropomorphism. So...I don't really see where the payback is for the money spent on finding out that chimps can be distracted by shiny pictures and therefore end up with more candy (doesn't really apply much to real chimp life or anything at all in human life - although with American public education in the dumpster, perhaps the distracted by shiny photo's info could be used). The problem is that Behavioral Science tends to be species specific. Although there is a limited amount of overlap, so that in some cases it can be said that if species A does X under Stimulus Y, then Species B can be expected to do the same, in most higher functions (reasoning, emotion, social interaction) studying Chimps and then applying those results to human smacks of Anthropomorphism.

So…I don’t really see where the payback is for the money spent on finding out that chimps can be distracted by shiny pictures and therefore end up with more candy (doesn’t really apply much to real chimp life or anything at all in human life - although with American public education in the dumpster, perhaps the distracted by shiny photo’s info could be used).

]]> By: jodie http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/08/chimps-can-control-urges-by-reading-magazines/#comment-215418 jodie Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:04:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/08/chimps-can-control-urges-by-reading-magazines/#comment-215418 while i agree that cancer should be on the short list for researchers - there are things to be learned from other studies. it's not just about chimps and treats - it's about the way their brains work. you never know when a connection is going to be made between one thing and another. as long as the animals are well cared for and, of course, not harmed, i think it's worthwhile to do other studies....JMO. while i agree that cancer should be on the short list for researchers - there are things to be learned from other studies. it’s not just about chimps and treats - it’s about the way their brains work. you never know when a connection is going to be made between one thing and another. as long as the animals are well cared for and, of course, not harmed, i think it’s worthwhile to do other studies….JMO.

]]> By: VonSkippy http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/08/chimps-can-control-urges-by-reading-magazines/#comment-215322 VonSkippy Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:24:41 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/08/chimps-can-control-urges-by-reading-magazines/#comment-215322 Cancer smancer, glad to see we got some smart minds and lots of dollars working on the important research. Cancer smancer, glad to see we got some smart minds and lots of dollars working on the important research.

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