The cultured chimpanzee : reflections on cultural primatology /

Natural scientists have long sought an explanation of the relationship between primate behavior and the origins and evolution of culture in humans. Though intraspecific variation among free-ranging populations is nothing new to the field of animal behavior, geographic differences in local ecology have traditionally explained the observed variance. However, ecological differences cannot always account for geographic variation in social behaviors that are seemingly arbitrary and free from obvious environmental constraints. Aspects of nonmaterial culture such as communication and the structure of social relationships raise questions that cannot be answered easily from an evolutionary perspective. Thus, a new approach is necessary to understand fully the extent and nature of behavioral flexibility among extant nonhuman primates as possible antecedents to the complexity of modern human societies. Following more than 30 years of research experience with chimpanzees, McGrew (Miami Univ. in Ohio) proposes a nexus between the natural and social sciences and champions the case for cultural primatology, relying on elements from anthropology, psychology, and zoology as a means to increasing knowledge of culture. This is an accessible, balanced, and insightful text. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above. R. A. Delgado Jr. CUNY Hunter College