| Papers [1-15] of 35 :: [Page 1 of 3] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 —> | Search results on "HAND PRIMATES": |
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Hand Use Among Primates, 2001.
This paper examines hand use and preference among human and non-human primates, employing Calvin?s evolutionary hypothesis as a backdrop.
1,928 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 45 sources, MLA, $ 61.95
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Abstract
The writer performs a study in which two approaches were made towards handedness. The first approach was a behavioral measure (Bishop et al 1996), 'quantifying consistency of hand preference'. The second approach uses a self-evaluating handedness inventory (Oldfield 1971), which provides a quantitative index of handedness, rather than binary classification' (Bishop et al 1996).
From the Paper
"Cerebral specialisation, or brain lateralisation while not unique to humans (McKenzie et al 1998), appears to correspond with behavioural asymmetry in human handedness. In a predominantly contralateral shift, sensory input from the right hand crosses over to the left hemisphere of the brain, and conversely sensory data from the left hand crosses over to the right side of the brain (Sternberg 1995). While the hemispheres may differ functionally, they are not completely independent as 'interhemispheric integration occurs by the corpus callosum' (Desmedt 1977), and in visual stimulus, information is sent to both contralateral and ipsilateral hemispheres (Ball 1998)."
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The Study of Primates, 1996.
Discusses recent research on primates, how they adapt to changing environmental conditions, & how their social activities develop. Focuses on how studying lower primates can teach about human development.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 31.95
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From the Paper
"Human beings are primates, and researchers study other living primates as a way of learning more about human behavior. Naturalists seek to observe animals in their natural habitat to learn about the adaptive capabilities of different creatures. Primatologists observe the behavior of primates to see both how these animals adapt and to derive some idea of how the human being adapts as well. Modern apes and human beings are now far apart in terms of evolution, and they last shared a common ancestor some five million years ago. Human behavior has changed much more over that time than has ape behavior, and this suggests one reason for primate studies: "Accordingly, if we want to know what hominid behavior was like before culture became a factor, and if we wish to speculate as to which...
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The Use of Primates in Bio-medical Research, 2008.
An analysis of whether or not bio-medical testing on primates is worthwhile, despite the drawbacks.
2,021 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 11 sources, APA, $ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper examines to what extent bio-medical research is aided by the testing of primates. It provides an exploration into disease prevention using primates, discusses embryonic research and cloning and shows how the human behavioral processes in the mind can be disclosed through primate testing. The paper concludes that the literature is inconclusive and the testing of primates must be seriously re-examined.
From the Paper
"The hypothesis of this paper was that primate testing does benefit human beings enough to justify the use of these animals in projects. Ultimately though, the material uncovered does not support this thesis (except in limited cases) and it calls into question the determination of some in the scholarly community to resolutely persist with such testing. Furthermore, questions such as whether or not such testing offers insight into the fight against disease, the study of human cloning and embryonic research, and the study of the human mind, all failed to deliver clear-cut answers; in some respects, the use of these creatures works, and in other areas the conclusion is much more uncertain."
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The Sexual Behavior and Mating Habits of Primates, 2004.
Review of literature regarding the sexual behavior of primates in captivity.
1,607 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
This paper examines several research studies on the sexual and mating habits of orangutans, langur monkeys, bonobos and chimpanzees, each of which concluded that the sexual and reproductive behaviors of these primates is abnormal when the animals live in captivity.
From the Paper
"Human researchers have always been deeply fascinated with primate behaviors because they are of much closer genetic relation than any other animals. Likewise, the studies of sexuality and mating social behaviors are of particular interest to people because, within human social structures, this area remains both mysterious and untamed, and at the same time entirely necessary for the survival of human relationships and survival of the species. Parallels that may offer some understanding of our own sexual and mating habits can be found in the observations made of Orangutans, Langur Monkeys, Bonobos, and Chimpanzees by various researchers."
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Self Awareness among Primates, 1996.
Reviews some of the recent research into whether & how apes, chimpanzees, & other higher primates develop self awareness.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 31.95
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From the Paper
Many anthropologists find the use of primate studies as a way of understanding human development to be a flawed approach. Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Lewentin, for instance, question the validity of sociobiology and see it as a case of circular reasoning: "In making this point, Gould and Lewontin see sociobiologists devising their scenarios to create highly simplistic, perfectly adaptive situations--a condtioin rarely (if ever) found in nature" (Turnbaugh, Jurmain, Nelson, and Kilgore, 1996, 196). However, such criticism relates more to how the questions are framed and answered than to the basic question of how valuable primate studies can be in helping our understanding of human behavior and culture. The criticism noted above does show the danger of allowing affective thinking..."
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Primates and Humans, 2000.
An examination of the validity of studying primate models to understand development of human behavior.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, $ 39.95
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From the Paper
"Primates and humans share a lot of common behaviors, such as care of their young, reactions to stressful situations, and shyness, and are believed to show many similar emotions. The evolution of human behavior is studied by anthropologists who often try to piece it together by looking at primate models. This paper will look at the validity of such studies as ways to gain an understanding into the development of human behavior.
Scientists at the Laboratory of Clinical Studies in Poolesville, Maryland are studying the qualities which distinguish primate leaders from minions, incline females to prefer some males over others, and cause some monkeys to be ejected from a troop (Segell, 1996). The study has shown that the dominant males are not necessarily the most aggressive ones. Rule is usually be consensus rather than fiat, and their main..."
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Primates in Biomedical Research, 2002.
Explores some of the controversial questions and issues regarding the use of animals in medical research.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 12 sources, $ 71.95
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Abstract
There are a number of ethical questions regarding the use of animals for biomedical research and particularly the use of the primates who are closest to humans genetically and who have been shown to have capacity for language and reason. Even if it is determined that humans have the right to use animals to further their own purposes then the question arises as to when and for what reason is the suffering or death of an animal justified. Also there is great debate on the validity of research that rests on the premise that primates such as chimps are close enough to humans to give accurate information. As new methods such as computer modeling and cell and tissue cultures are developed, they are showing higher levels of accuracy for some tests.
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Aggression in Human & Non-Human Primates, 1999.
Analyzes nature of violence, differences between humans & non-humans, biological, psychological & social causes, evolution, territoriality, survival and theories.
4,950 words (approx. 19.8 pages), 13 sources, $ 135.95
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From the Paper
"Abstract
This paper is an investigation of the topic of aggression in both humans and non-human primates with an attempt to understand the causes of such aggression and what links exist between the aggressive behaviors of different primate species.
The literature on primate aggression is reviewed and a number of bases for aggressive behavior are put forth, including psychoanalytic, biological, evolutionary and learned. The validity of each of these explanatory paradigms is examined and the evolutionary and social learning perspectives are established as being the most useful bases on which to create theoretical models of primate aggressive behavior.
A substantial amount of attention is paid to possible evolutionary causes of aggression and evolutionarily based links between the aggressive tendencies..:
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Primate Intelligence, 2002.
A discussion of the parameters involved in defining intelligence and determining cause for cognitive growth in primates.
2,239 words (approx. 9.0 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 69.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how it has long been recognized that primates are more cognitively advanced than other mammals and how that the degree of cognitive awareness and ability grows significantly from prosimians to humans. It looks at the debate of which parameters should be used to define and compare intelligence as well as the causal factors leading to this cognitive growth. It analyzes how studying today's population of primates can shed some light on cognitive evolution and how it can also provide additional information on what makes humans unique and what can be done to eliminate primate extinction and enhance human evolution.
From the Paper
"New world monkeys spend most of their time in the treetops. Living at such heights, they feed almost entirely on leaves and fruit. There is ample food and few large predators, aside from larger snakes and some birds of prey. New world monkeys have not developed the complex communities and family groups found among old world monkeys and apes. Most species give birth to twins and live in groups of 4-20 individuals. Social structure varies from one male-one female to multi-male-multi-female groups, with usually only one breeding adult female at a time. Groups are territorial and defend their home range through calls, fur displays, scent marking and facial expressions (ibid)."
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Primate Language, 2007.
An examination of language development, focusing on primates' ability to communicate.
838 words (approx. 3.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
The paper examines how language educators and researchers continue to debate how language is developed in humans. The paper further examines the differences between humans and other higher primates regarding language. The paper explores how, in order to gain more insight on how language evolved in early humans, researchers closely study language acquisition in primates.
From the Paper
"What Stokoe finds most interesting is the turning of the head, just as signers of American Sign Language turn their head and gaze to mark a change from one part of a complex structure to another. Concludes Stokoe: Children are fortunate that elementary sign language preceded spoken language. As people get older, they forget how they used their bodies, eyes and heads. However, once speech is acquired at another stage and a person is fully articulate, it is still possible to go to "Nevada or Oklahoma and enter into conversation with a chimpanzee." "
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Primate Locomotion, 2004.
This paper traces the evolution of primates locomotion.
1,582 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 3 sources, APA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the skeletal changes reflected in the change from arboreal to terrestrial locomotion. The author examines the evolution of primates through lemuroides, tarsiers, monkeys, apes to humans. The paper defines the structure that differentiates humans.
From the Paper
"Primates have evolved over a period of millions of years and the ultimate in evolution is the human. Over the course of time, different primates evolved different body structures, which suited their time and their lifestyle and the ecosystem into which they fit. The prosimians and the early primates were arboreal, which over time gradually descended from the trees and developed an upright stance. This was accompanied by skeletal changes to accommodate the postural changes. Primates are distinguished from other mammals by nine general features: A generalized limb ..."
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Primate Interaction, 2002.
Insight into the social interaction of various members of the primate family.
1,041 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how primate interaction is among the most advanced of all mammals, excluding humans, and how primate interaction, unlike many other animal species, is based around banding together in groups. It looks at how primates are social creatures that function through male domination, competition, and eventual confrontation, and how all species of primates have relatively similar behavior patterns concerning these issues, except for the bonobos, whose behavior is quite unusual compared to their primate peers.
From the Paper
"One of the most interesting dynamics of the primates? social interaction is when male silverbacks from different groups confront each other. Often a rival silverback will challenge for control of the group. If the rival is successful, he takes control of the females and their offspring from the previous silverback (Gilders 32). Oddly enough, the new leading silverback will often kill the offspring, and prepare the females for the breeding of his offspring (Gilders 32). Gilders notes that during a fifteen year period at Virunga, thirty-eight percent of the infant deaths were due to infanticide caused by the rival silverback (32)."
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Human and Primate Culture, 2000.
An examination of the questions and problems involved in determining if humans alone have a "culture" or if primates do as well.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, $ 23.95
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Abstract
There is currently a great debate over the nature of culture, and by extension, whether aspects of behavior shown by nonhuman primates can be called evidence of culture. There are two basic schools of thought on the topic.
From the Paper
"The Study of Culture and The Importance of Definitions
Introduction
There is currently a great debate over the nature of culture, and by extension, whether aspects of behavior shown by nonhuman primates can be called evidence of culture. There are two basic schools of thought on the topic. One group argues that culture is by definition human,, while a second group believes that examples of social learning by apes and monkeys are proof of distinct simian cultures. The gulf between these two camps is caused by problematic definitions. Definitions are crucial to language and reasoning, but also to science (Babbie, 1986, p. 93). The debate over ape culture will not be resolved until a unified definition of culture is accepted within the scientific community. "
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Primate Intelligence, 2002.
This paper discusses that the work of Jane Goodall and others are discovering that primates have a higher degree of intelligence than previously known.
1,235 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 5 sources, $ 42.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses recent primate studies that suggest there are more degrees of intelligence and more kinds of intelligence in the animal kingdom than was thought possible. The paper stresses that observing chimpanzees in the wild affords more opportunities to see intelligent behavior than observing them in zoos or other captive environments. The author points out that having learned that chimpanzees in the wild medicate themselves as needed, humans are learning about medications from these chimpanzees.
From the Paper
"Jane Goodall has been a key figure in primate studies and helped initiate the ChimpanZoo project to compare behaviors in the wild with behaviors in captivity. Such interdisciplinary studies help researchers understand observed behaviors in both settings. Research in the wild serves to counter many of the stereotypical views of primates that people have developed form only seeing these animals in the zoo, an artificial environment which distorts some behavior."
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Controversies in Primate Research, 1998.
Discusses some of the problems & controversies involved in studying primates as a basis for understanding humans.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 3 sources, $ 31.95
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From the Paper
"There are a number of different species of primates in the world today, and there have been others that are now extinct. The best-known and most widely-dispersed primate on earth is man. Anthropologists study human behavior in all its manifestations and find connections between the behavior of very different groups, such as Pacific Islanders and Londoners, Bantu tribesmen in Africa and the average New Yorker, and so on. Such studies are accepted because of the accepted view that human behavior in different settings reflects underlying forces and motivations which are common to all human beings. Primate studies which examine the behavior of other primates and then extrapolate from the results to the human condition raise different issues and cause some researchers to reject any such connection as too..."
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