General Psychology

Animal Language Take-Home Assignment

Photo: Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary (www.iowaprimate.org)	Photo: The Gorilla Foundation	Photo: www.alexfoundation.org	Photo: Chantek Foundation

Purposes

• Learn to apply critical thinking skills to a controversy in psychology.
• Gain an in-depth understanding of an area of psychological science.
• Gain insight into the process and complexities of conducting and interpreting psychological research.

Topic
Have researchers actually been able to teach language to a specific animal [specific animal to be assigned in class-- Kanzi, Alex, Koko, Washoe, Chantek, Akeakamai, Rocky, Nim]?

Format

• You may work on this assignment in groups of 2 to 4 students. Groups will be chosen in class.
• The professor will assign a topic (a specific animal) to each group.
• Each group must submit a joint written response to each question below. The responses must be numbered and typed.
• Your group will make a 2 to 3-minute oral presentation to the class on the day the written assignment is due. The presentation will highlight important points of your written assignment.

Content requirements

1. State whether you think the animal has demonstrated language in response to the efforts of researchers to teach it language.
2. Explain each of the four characteristics of language: convey meaning, grammar/structure, creativity/productivity, and displacement.
3. Is there any evidence that the animal conveys/understands meaning (with the language taught to it by researchers)? Cite examples and evidence. How might skeptics respond to that evidence? What do you think? Why?
4. Is there any evidence that the animal uses/understands structure/grammar? Cite examples and evidence. How might skeptics respond to that evidence? What do you think? Why?
5. Is there any evidence that the animal demonstrates creativity/productivity? Cite examples and evidence. How might skeptics respond to that evidence? What do you think? Why?
6. Is there any evidence that the animal uses/understands displacement? Cite examples and evidence. How might skeptics respond to that evidence? What do you think? Why?

Note: When citing evidence and examples, as much as possible, rely on raw data (e.g., video, transcript, statistics on performance) rather than second-hand reports. This will allow you to make an independent evaluation of the animal's abilities.

Source requirements

• Cite sources (author, year) within your assignment.
• Include a references page in which you list the full citation for each source cited.
• Minimum of 2 references/sources, not counting class lecture and the textbook.
• At least one of your sources must include raw data about an animal's performance (e.g., video, transcript, statistics on performance).
• You must attach the abstract or first page of each source cited (except videos, textbook, class lecture).
• Use your own words. Do not plagiarize or use excessive quoting.

Sources <-- IMPORTANT!

Chart summarizing animal language research projects

List of arguments made by skeptics