Yerkes sent a chimp named Gua to live in a human household alongside a toddler named Donald Kellogg. In this “reverse Tarzan” experiment, Gua and Donald were supposed to grow up together. Yerkes hoped Gua would learn everything that Donald learned, including how to talk. But Gua never uttered a word.
What was the purpose of Yerkes sending a chimp named Gua to live in a human household alongside a toddler named Donald Kellogg in the “reverse Tarzan” experiment?
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In the “reverse Tarzan” experiment conducted by psychologist Winthrop Kellogg and his wife, Gua, a chimpanzee, was raised alongside their son Donald. The aim was to see if Gua could learn human language and behavior by living in a human household. However, Gua did not learn to speak; she primarily used gestures and non-verbal communication. This experiment highlighted the complexities of language acquisition and the differences between human and animal communication, showing that simply living with humans does not guarantee that a non-human primate will learn to speak. If you need further assistance or detailed information, consider checking the extended services page!