Comparative Cognition

In 1871 Darwin famously wrote that, in his opinion, there was no fundamental difference between man and the higher mammals in their mental faculties. In the past decades this claim has driven much empirical investigation and, by and large, the evidence supports Darwin’s hypothesis. One mental faculty, however, has been particularly difficult to study empirically with little progress being made until recently: the faculty of language.

A primary focus of our research efforts is to explore and understand the biological origins of the different mechanisms required for language and culture. To this end, we mainly study non-human primates in their natural habitats.

News

Symposium: 40 years of research of the Tai Chimpanzee Project
29 – 31 May 2019
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Current opinion in Behavioural Sciences:
The Evolution of Language

horizons: "Touch screens in the cage"

"If you could talk to the animals", the sicence behind animal communication, PRI

Opportunity for a Master's thesis:
"Vocal communication in wild Vervet monkeys"
info

Trait d'Union: Chimpanzés: copier la mère, même pour les jeux

Article et Vidéo: "Chimps Tailor Alarms to What Other Chimps Know", The New York Times

Vidéo: Rencontre avec 4 doctorantes du Laboratoire de cognition comparée de l’Université de Neuchâtel
Canal Alpha Minimag "Si tu me comprends pas, regarde mon singe!"

Uni News en anglais:
"The social life of monkeys"

New: Tai Monkey Project website

New Scientist:
Bonobos know when others are being treated unfairly - and react

L'énigme de l’orang-outan qui s'esclaffe, LE TEMPS

Podcast on Radio RTS.ch

La communication chez
les bonobos , RJB.ch

Le rire est-il propre
de l'homme ? Avisdexperts.ch