Requesting behaviours within episodes of active sharing
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Ray Wilkinson
Abstract
Similarly to humans, one of human’s closest living congener, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), have been observed to share food between unrelated individuals regardless of age and sex. The most remarkable cases of extended food sharing episodes including active sharing occur after chimpanzees have preyed upon mammals such as monkeys, duikers or bush pigs. Although a tremendous amount of research attention has focused on the function underlying the sophisticated sharing events, relatively little systematic research has investigated the behaviours and communicative signals surrounding and initiating these events. In the present paper, we thus provide the first systematic analysis of active meat sharing episodes by combining methods of comparative research with a micro-analytic approach in the form of conversation analysis. We describe how chimpanzees involved in sharing episodes achieve active sharing through a three-part process of (1) B requesting meat; (2) A giving meat; and (3) B taking meat. In addition, we describe the interactive process by which requests may not be acceded to and how subsequent requests may then be shaped and customized.
Abstract
Similarly to humans, one of human’s closest living congener, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), have been observed to share food between unrelated individuals regardless of age and sex. The most remarkable cases of extended food sharing episodes including active sharing occur after chimpanzees have preyed upon mammals such as monkeys, duikers or bush pigs. Although a tremendous amount of research attention has focused on the function underlying the sophisticated sharing events, relatively little systematic research has investigated the behaviours and communicative signals surrounding and initiating these events. In the present paper, we thus provide the first systematic analysis of active meat sharing episodes by combining methods of comparative research with a micro-analytic approach in the form of conversation analysis. We describe how chimpanzees involved in sharing episodes achieve active sharing through a three-part process of (1) B requesting meat; (2) A giving meat; and (3) B taking meat. In addition, we describe the interactive process by which requests may not be acceded to and how subsequent requests may then be shaped and customized.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements ix
- About the contributors xi
- Introduction 1
-
Article
- Facial-vocal displays, gestures and language 13
-
Research Studies
- Does ontogenetic ritualization explain early communicative gestures in human infants? 33
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Non-human primates
- A mother gorilla’s variable use of touch to guide her infant 55
- Spontaneous use of gesture sequences in orangutans 73
- Handedness for manual gestures in great apes 93
- Mandrill visual gestures 113
- Gesture use in consortship 129
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New trends and debates
- A call for conformity 147
- Cognitivism, adaptationism and pointing 165
- Pointing 181
- Requesting behaviours within episodes of active sharing 199
-
Article
- Hands and faces 223
- Where next? 241
- Index 253
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements ix
- About the contributors xi
- Introduction 1
-
Article
- Facial-vocal displays, gestures and language 13
-
Research Studies
- Does ontogenetic ritualization explain early communicative gestures in human infants? 33
-
Non-human primates
- A mother gorilla’s variable use of touch to guide her infant 55
- Spontaneous use of gesture sequences in orangutans 73
- Handedness for manual gestures in great apes 93
- Mandrill visual gestures 113
- Gesture use in consortship 129
-
New trends and debates
- A call for conformity 147
- Cognitivism, adaptationism and pointing 165
- Pointing 181
- Requesting behaviours within episodes of active sharing 199
-
Article
- Hands and faces 223
- Where next? 241
- Index 253
