Chimpanzee Laughter Are Acoustic Variations Dertermined by Context?

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

Second Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Bauer, Gordon

Keywords

Laughter in Animals, Chimpanzee Behavior, Comparative Psychology

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

A 1977 study performed by Marler and Tenaza demonstrated three different acoustic types of laughter produced by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Over decades of study, researchers have noted this laughter vocalized in various contexts. Humans, similarly, produce distinct acoustic types of laughter during various contexts. Recent studies have demonstrated each acoustic type occurs during a specific context or situation (Bachorowski & Owren, 2001). This study investigated the possibility of specific acoustic types of chimpanzee laughter corresponding to specific contexts. Seven chimpanzees residing at the Center for Orangutan and Chimpanzee Conservation were observed during the fall and winter, 2002. Data collected from captive chimpanzees at the onset of play suggest that no such one-to-one relationship between acoustic type and context exists for Pan troglodytes. Wheezing laughter and pulsed exhalations were found more than other types of laughter. All data were collected during times of social play. Laughter during social contexts with physical contact was found to have a lower fundamental frequency than laughter during social contexts without physical contact.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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