10/7/10 Thursday

Lucy, the epilogue

"What Lucy's death did was push me toward human beings and away from the island."
Carter, Janice. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/carter.html

"I use perspectives derived from evolutionary theory, studies of complex systems, and developmental research to examine the dynamics and functions of long-term social relationships. I focus on social behavior in nonhuman animals, especially primates, wolves, and domestic dogs. Topics of interest include play, social reciprocity, cooperation, greetings, conflict resolution, emotions, and mood. I study the dynamics of social relationships by observing video-taped interactions in fine detail, using frame-by-frame and slow motion analysis. Questions being addressed include:

• How do other animals develop trusting relationships in the absence of spoken language?
• What do animals understand about the beliefs and intentions of their social partners?
• How can understanding of nonhuman social relationships help us to better understand human behavior?"

Dr. Barbara Smutts, Stanford University. Biopsychology.

Temerlin, Maurice K., Lucy: Growing Up Human : A Chimpanzee Daughter in a Psychotherapist's Family. Science and Behavior, 1976.

Blum, Deborah. Love At Goon Park: Harry Harlow and the Science of Affection. Berkeley Publishing Group. New York, 2002.

Siebert, Charles. The Wauchula Woods Accord: Toward a New Understanding of Animals. Scribner Publishing. New York, 2009.

I am interested in the idea of how nonhuman animals understand and form trusting relationships without spoken language. How do they bond with their social companions. And in the case of pet/owner relationship, how much of the bond really is a reflection of Jung's projection and how much of their communication is two-way. Is there real intimacy between the two species?