The Use of Emotion Symbols in Language-Using Apes

Authors

Heidi Lyn, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Great Ape Trust of IowaFollow

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

7-14-2012

School

Psychology

Abstract

There has been a long history of scientific disagreement about the ability of nonhumans to feel complex or even simple emotions. One of the stumbling blocks for recognition of emotions has been the inability of animals to communicate about emotions or any internal state. Here we look at the internal state utterances of language competent apes. In particular, four internal state symbols are explored: mad, happy, scared, and hurt. We find that these apes use these words appropriately and that developmentally, their use of internal state words occurs after they begin to use value based words like good and bad. We also find that there is less co-construction of internal state words as opposed to the more culturally changeable value based words.

Publication Title

Emotions of Animals and Humans

First Page

113

Last Page

127

Recommended Citation

Lyn, H., Savage-Rumbaugh, S. (2012). The Use of Emotion Symbols in Language-Using Apes. Emotions of Animals and Humans, 113-127.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/21491