Reading :: The Mentality of Apes

The Mentality of Apes
By Wolfgang Köhler

Vygotsky and Luria cite this 1924 book repeatedly in their 1930 book Studies on the History of Behavior. I can see why. Köhler, a Gestaltist, conducted several studies on chimpanzee problem-solving, providing them with tools such as sticks to see whether they could figure out how to get fruit from various locations. In the process, he identified some of the limits to chimpanzee problem-solving, specifically a difficulty in using tools that are not in their visual field at the same time as their objective.

The studies themselves are fascinating, but Köhler is also an entertaining writer. He evidently developed a great deal of affection for the chimpanzees, who he introduces to us by name and temperament, and he provides not just results but also entertaining and illuminating stories about how their temperaments interacted with their problem-solving skills. In one example, a chimp was trying to get a piece of fruit that had been suspended high over his head. Rather than stacking some boxes to stand on top of them, he tried to convince Köhler to stand under the fruit so he could stand on Köhler's shoulders. Failing that, he led other chimps under the fruit and tried to stand on them. Soon the others caught on and chimps competed to stand on each other—thus failing to retrieve the fruit.

Maybe I'm wired differently, but I found this to be an immensely entertaining read. Take a look!