Dolphin Pointing is Linked to the Attentional Behavior of a Receiver
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2004
Department
Psychology
Abstract
In 2001, Xitco et al. (Anim Cogn 4:115-123) described spontaneous behaviors in two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that resembled pointing and gaze alternation. The dolphins' spontaneous behavior was influenced by the presence of a potential receiver, and the distance between the dolphin and the receiver. The present study adapted the technique of Call and Tomasello [(1994) J Comp Psychol 108:307-317], used with orangutans to test the effect of the receiver's orientation on pointing in these same dolphins. The dolphins directed more points and monitoring behavior at receivers whose orientation was consistent with attending to the dolphins. The results demonstrated that the dolphins' pointing and monitoring behavior, like that of apes and infants, was linked to the attentional behavior of the receiver.
Publication Title
Animal Cognition
Volume
7
Issue
4
First Page
231
Last Page
238
Recommended Citation
Xitco, M. J.,
Gory, J. D.,
Kuczaj, S. A.
(2004). Dolphin Pointing is Linked to the Attentional Behavior of a Receiver. Animal Cognition, 7(4), 231-238.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/2995