Unit of Cognitive Primatology & Primate Center
Our aim is to understand the processes by which primates acquire and process information coming from physical and social stimuli.
We study capuchin monkeys' behaviour and cognition both in our Primate Center in Rome and in our field site in Brasil (EthoCebus Project)
- cognition;
- curiosity-driven learning;
- intertemporal choice;
- reciprocation;
- social dynamics;
- time discounting;
- tool use;
- visual perception
Profile
The comparative study of behavior and cognition in human and nonhuman primates enables to better understand developmental, cognitive and adaptive processes in the different species. The comparative study of cognition and behavior also allows further insight into major switching points in the phylogeny of primates. We put special emphasis on examining the processes by which primates acquire and process information coming from physical and social stimuli. In particular, we examine what kind of information is picked up, what factors facilitate acquisition of new behaviors, and the cognitive and social processes underlying the transmission of new behaviors in nonhuman primates. Finally, we compare our findings with related ones in the child literature.
People
Coordinator
Researchers
Post-Docs
PhD Students
Associate Researchers
Technical Staff
Publications
Journal articles | |
| 2012 | |
De Lillo C., Palumbo M., Spinozzi G., Giustino G. Effects of pattern redundancy and hierarchical grouping on global-local visual processing in monkeys (Cebus apella) and humans (Homo sapiens). In: Behavioural Brain Research, vol. 226 (2) pp. 445 - 455. , 2012.  | |
Evans T., Beran M., Paglieri F., Addessi E. Delaying gratification for food and tokens in capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): When quantity is salient, symbolic stimuli do not improve performance. In: Animal Cognition, vol. . p. .. , 2012.  | |
| Polizzi Di Sorrentino E., Schino G., Massaro L., Visalberghi E., Aureli F. Between-group hostility affects within-group interactions in tufted capuchin monkeys. In: Animal Behaviour, vol. 83 (2) pp. 445 - 451. Elsevier, 2012. | |
| Taffoni F., Vespignani M., Formica D., Cavallo G., Polizzi Di Sorrentino E., Sabbatini G., Truppa V., Visalberghi E., Mirolli M., Baldassarre G., Keller F., Guglielmelli E. A mechatronic Platform for behavioural analysis of Non Human Primates. In: Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, vol. . p. .. , 2012. | |
| Visalberghi E., Addessi E. Selectivity in stone tool use by wild bearded capuchin monkeys.Field observations and experimental evidence. In: Nova Acta Leopoldina, vol. . p. .. , 2012. | |
Contribution to Book/Monograph | |
| 2012 | |
| Cordoni G., Palagi E. Play and post-conflict mechanisms in wolves: a comparison with human and non-human primates. In: Wolves: Biology, Behavior and Conservation. A. P. Maia, H. F. Crussi (eds.). (Animal Science, Issues and Professions). Hauppauge NY: Nova Science Publishers, 2012. | |
Abstracts | |
| 2012 | |
| Addessi E., Paglieri F., Focaroli V., Visalberghi E. An egg today? Or a hen tomorrow? Delay discounting for primary an secondary rewards in capuchin monkeys. In: International Journal of Primatology. Abstract, vol. . p. .. , 2012. | |
| De Petrillo F., Focaroli V., Macchitella L., Rossi S., Paglieri F., Addessi E. Delay discounting for primary and secondary rewards in capuchin monkeys. In: Folia Primatologica. Abstract, vol. . p. .. , 2012. | |
| Demuru E., Palagi E. Contagious yawning in bonobos: evidence for the empathy and syncronization hypotheses. In: Folia Primatologica. Abstract, 2012. | |
| Macchitella L., De Petrillo F., Focaroli V., Evans T., Beran M., Paglieri F., Addessi E. Does preference for a larger delayed reward necessarily indicate self-control? An evaluation of the validity of the intertemporal choice task in capuchin monkeys. In: Folia Primatologica. Abstract, vol. . p. .. , 2012. | |
| Murianni V., Ferrari P., Palagi E. Embracing behavior: distribution, incidence and potential adaptive role in a captive group of Theropithecus gelada. In: Folia Primatologica. Abstract, 2012. | |
| Palagi E., Norscia I. Consolation in bonobos: a possible empathetic tactic in conflict management. In: Folia Primatologica. Abstract, 2012. | |
| Polizzi Di Sorrentino E., Tiddi B., Aureli F., Schino G. A window into the emotional response of wild capuchin monkeys. In: Folia Primatologica. Abstract, vol. . p. .. , 2012. | |
| Ventricelli M., Focaroli V., De Petrillo F., Macchitella L., Paglieri F., Addessi E. Response latency and self-directed behaviours by capuchin monkeys in an intemporal choice task. In: Folia Primatologica. Abstract, vol. . p. .. , 2012. | |