Evening star., 1936-04-29
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

Cooperative behavior on an in
dividualistic level among chimpanzees
was reported to the National Academy
Of Sciences here yesterday-thus
breaking down another of the pre-
sumed barriers between the human
and the infra-human.
The report, coming from the Yale
laboratories of primate biology, per-
haps reveals for the first time the
humble beginnings of individual
charity, helpfulness and cooperation
not motivated directly by instinct out
Of which human society itself was
nodded in the ancient past
1t is becoming Increasingly apparent,
said the director of the laboratory,
Prof. Robert M. Yerkes, that the
chimpanzee is mans nearest relative
both biologically and socially and that
much can be learned from its behavior
which will be of service in interpret
ing the behavior of man, especially in
such groupings as the family. The
great apes display the elemental
human actions stripped of all sophis-
tication and control by custom.
Presented in Films.
The report on the cooperative be-
havior of the chimpanzees was pre-
sented in the form of moving pictures.
which kept the dignified acadamy in
roars of laughter, of experiments by
Drs. H. w. Nissen and M. P. Crawford
of the laboratory staff. They delib-
erately placed the animals against
problems which could not be solved
except by cooperation and left their
charges to work out their own
answers.
The chimpanZees were found to dis
play some of the best qualities of hu-
man nature, such as sometimes have
been denied even to savages.
Mutual aid among animals or men,
DR.. Nissen said, can be grouped In
three ascending categories:
Genetically determined or instinc-
tive, such as the action of mother in
bringing food to her young.
Exchange of goods or services with
the expectation of getting back as
much or more, as one gives as Is ex-
lationships.
Giving without expectation-at least
direct expectation-of a reward.
Turns PanhandIer.
Behavior of the first category is
probably universal among animals,
reaching its highest development
among insects. Actions falling into
the other two classifications usually
have been considered restricted to
human beings. The Yale psychologists
found definite evidence of the Sec
ond, and perhaps even of the third,
among their chimpanzees.
For example, one chimpanzee was
kept in cage without food. Outside
the cage, but considerably beyond the
reach of the imprisoned animal
through the bars, food was placed. A
second ape was left free to get the
food. The chimpanzee in the cage
would beg for something to eat, hold
ing out its hands in typical pan
handling" fashion. If the animal on
the outside was stranger to the
pleader these appeals would go un-
nOtlced. Tne cnlmpanZeeS are still
below the point where they will give
without knowing the recipient of their
bounty.
But when the free animal knew the
Gagged animal, almost invariably the
appeal was needed. Either the food
would be pushed near enough to the
bars to be drawn inside or was delib-
erately picked up and handed to him.
The giver seemed to understand that
the other was hungry and went out
of its way to help. even though the
other could do nothing in return.
Work Together for Food.
Even more remarkable was an ex-
pertinent showing actual cooperative
endeavor of two animals in perform
ing a new task towards which there
was no instructive reaction. A box
was loaded with food and placed out
side a cage containing two animals,
but considerably beyond their reach.
Two ropes were attached to this box
and placed inside the cage. BY pull
ing on them the food could be gotten