Chimpanzees Are Better Than College Students
Humans like to think they’re superior, but they’re not. Humans think that because they’re intelligent, can communicate clearly, and can use tools that they’re better. However, this is not the case. There are animals that can do all of these things.
Humans are not the only organisms that use their brain. In fact, chimpanzees have been reported to be better at retaining information than college students (“Chimps Are Smarter Than Us”). A test conducted on chimpanzees and college students’ memories revealed chimpanzees to be more successful at memorization. Many studies and experiments have shown that a primate’s intelligence could rival a human’s. For example, two scientists from Yale took a group of Capuchin monkeys and taught them the concept of money. Once the Capuchins understood they could use the money to get them things they wanted, they began to use the money to purchase sex (Puiu). The Capuchins paid for the sex used their money to purchase more food, realizing early on they could buy much more if they offered themselves to others. Capuchins’ capacity for understanding is greater than they are credited, as are most animals’. Their ability to communicate clearly is also often overlooked. …show more content…
Animals can be taught to communicate with humans.
For example, a western lowland gorilla named Koko has been taught a modified version of American Sign Language and has the equivalent of a three year old’s vocabulary (Morin). Another animal taught how to communicate using a human language was the African Grey parrot, Alex. Alex’s handler taught him a variety of words which Alex was able to use to create sentences to answer questions and communicate what he wanted ("ALEX - One of the Most Smartest Parrots Ever!"). Alex could actually understand the language and form sentences. The fact that animals such as parrots and gorillas can learn a language to communicate with humans is a testament to their intelligence. There have even been cases of animals using tools to get to
food.
The invention of the wheel was a turning point for humans because they were able to travel in search of food. Humans, however, were not the only organisms to use tools. Crows have been known to use tools in order to reach food sources. In order to reach a colony of grubs, the crows realized their beaks were not long enough to reach into the holes the grubs were in. They got a long stick to irritate the grubs until they bit onto it and could be pulled out in response (“Nature’s Tools! How Birds Use Them”).
Humans really aren’t that unique. Their intelligence, ability to communicate freely, and ability to use tools can be evenly matched by any species of animal. The only reason humans think they’re better is because they have large egos.
Humans are not the only organisms that use their brain. In fact, chimpanzees have been reported to be better at retaining information than college students (“Chimps Are Smarter Than Us”). A test conducted on chimpanzees and college students’ memories revealed chimpanzees to be more successful at memorization. Many studies and experiments have shown that a primate’s intelligence could rival a human’s. For example, two scientists from Yale took a group of Capuchin monkeys and taught them the concept of money. Once the Capuchins understood they could use the money to get them things they wanted, they began to use the money to purchase sex (Puiu). The Capuchins paid for the sex used their money to purchase more food, realizing early on they could buy much more if they offered themselves to others. Capuchins’ capacity for understanding is greater than they are credited, as are most animals’. Their ability to communicate clearly is also often overlooked. …show more content…
Animals can be taught to communicate with humans.
For example, a western lowland gorilla named Koko has been taught a modified version of American Sign Language and has the equivalent of a three year old’s vocabulary (Morin). Another animal taught how to communicate using a human language was the African Grey parrot, Alex. Alex’s handler taught him a variety of words which Alex was able to use to create sentences to answer questions and communicate what he wanted ("ALEX - One of the Most Smartest Parrots Ever!"). Alex could actually understand the language and form sentences. The fact that animals such as parrots and gorillas can learn a language to communicate with humans is a testament to their intelligence. There have even been cases of animals using tools to get to
food.
The invention of the wheel was a turning point for humans because they were able to travel in search of food. Humans, however, were not the only organisms to use tools. Crows have been known to use tools in order to reach food sources. In order to reach a colony of grubs, the crows realized their beaks were not long enough to reach into the holes the grubs were in. They got a long stick to irritate the grubs until they bit onto it and could be pulled out in response (“Nature’s Tools! How Birds Use Them”).
Humans really aren’t that unique. Their intelligence, ability to communicate freely, and ability to use tools can be evenly matched by any species of animal. The only reason humans think they’re better is because they have large egos.