The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-02
PETER :"
Remarkable Series of Tests of Mon
keys Intelligence.

keys Intelligence.
Prof Lightner Wilmer. professor of
psychology in the University OF Pennsyl-
vania, has published in the Psychological
Clinic his observations Of Peter" the
monkey with the human brain, ar Chase's
this week.
The clinical tests with Peter were con-
Quoted last October at the University Of
Pennsylvania. although the professor s
study OF Peter began in Boston soon be-
fore that. He is carrying out the study
OF monkey psychology now with an or
2..s-oIto-e. which he and DR.. William Il
Furnes7 imported from Borneo for the
purpose Of making psychological studies
DR.. Wilmer says. in his article:
Ny doubts were bred from knowledge OF the dif-
hclty q judging the intelligence q an animal
from stage performances. so-caIled educated horses
and even educated seals and heas have made their
APPEAL In large numbers to the oredulity of the
public, Can any animal below a man be educated
in the proper sense OF the WOrdf Or Is the animal
mind susceptible Of nothing more than a mschanl-
cal training, and only given a spacious counterfeit
Of en- educated intelligence when under ;he direct
control Of the tranerf
Since that day have seen Peter IN five public
performances. have tested him a. psychological
clinic and privately OF three occasions I nov be
heve that IN a very real sense the animal is him
self giving the stage performances. He knows what
be IS doing he delights IN Il. he varies II from
time % tine be understands the succession a
tricks which are being called for he Is guided BIZ
the word u mouth without any signal OTen OF ON
cealed. and the function of his trainer Is exercised
mainly 20 steady and control
In riding up an inclined plane and down a small
fight Of steps he allowed himself to 90 very Close
10 the flies, and 10 save himself put out one hand
and VeTy cleyerly pushed himself away while stu
retaining his balance. also saw him ride as close
az possible % the side wall Of tie stage setting
and take very short turn with the evident purpose
Of seeing whether not he could do II. From time
10 time I observed that be made the work more
difficult for himself than needful seemingly out
Of mere bavado and in pure enjoyment OF the
TASK
Dr.. Wilmer say5 he hesitated long time Over
the ACCESSIBILITY Of testing Peters intelligence at the
psychological clinic fearing lest erroneous eonclu-
sious be drawn should IL become known that he
had presented & chimpanzee TO a clinic devoted to
the examination Of backward and defective children.
Now. however. that Peter has been tested at the
clinic, ho Is willing 10 assert that IL Is wel-nigh
impossible TO give an adequate account Of the in
tsiligence shown BY this ape. who cannot be more
than five or six years Of age except in terms OF
comparison with the abilities and disabilities Of the
human child
In the clinic. Peter was put through many tests
which are used for backward children. The chin
pauzee was able 10 string beads the first time he
tried II. he put pegs in the ordinary kindergarten
pegging board, and Re used a hammer and screw
driver. and distinguished without mistake between
screws and nails peculiar kind Of hammer was
given the ape in order 20 fool him. but Peter was
not 10 be fooled. He felt both ends Of the ham
mer and used the fat end instead Of the round in
driving home the nails As evidence Of initiative
Peter, during the tests, darted away to wash
stand. turned the faucet. and got himself drink
Of water Peter demonstrated his ability 20 say
mamma" and IN minute learned tn give the
sound Of p" One Of the most remarkable per-
formanees in the clinic was making the letter
Nv" a blackboard. In this the ape reproduced
q fair copy Of the letter.