Chimpanzees are right‐handed when recording bouts of hand use

Abstract

Whether nonhuman primates exhibit population‐level handedness remains a topic of considerable debate. Previous research has shown that chimpanzees are right‐handed when frequencies of hand use are recorded but some have questioned the validity of this approach. In this study, we evaluated handedness in 180 captive chimpanzees for a task measuring bimanual actions. Bouts rather than frequency of hand use were recorded in each subject. Population‐level right‐handedness was found using both continuous and nominal scales of measurement. Neither sex nor rearing history had a significant effect on hand use. These results indicate that chimpanzees are right‐handed, even when using a more conservative measure of handedness. Limitations in the use of bouts in handedness assessment are also discussed.

Notes

Address correspondence to: Dr. William Hopkins, Division of Psychobiology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

This work was supported in part by NIH grants RR‐00165, NS‐36605, NS‐42867, and HD‐38051.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

William D. Hopkins

Address correspondence to: Dr. William Hopkins, Division of Psychobiology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Email: [email protected] or [email protected] This work was supported in part by NIH grants RR‐00165, NS‐36605, NS‐42867, and HD‐38051.