Summary of Gardner-Gardner Study teaching chimps sign language.
by
omatuaseef (student)
Summary of Gardner-Gardner Study The main objective behind the Gardner-Gardner study was to demonstrate and to test their hypothesis on whether the chimpanzees did possess the aptitude and potential to communicate in a manner similar to human language. The Gardners decided to use American Sign Language, which was structurally equivalent to spoken language, as the earlier attempts with the spoken form of language failed due to the chimp’s inept vocal apparatus, which accounted for its disability for making speech sounds. Also despite the chimp’s ineptitude to vocalize like humans, the Gardners were aware that chimpanzees do possess a natural dexterity to easily develop hand
gestures. ASL also provided the advantage of conducting comparisons with deaf children and chimps. Chimpanzees, in addition, were an ideal choice as they were intelligent, sociable, and capable of strong attachments to humans. However, it was later recognized that their great strength was also a cause of serious hindrance. In June 1966, the Gardners then brought Washoe , a wild caught infant of 8-14 months, incase there was a critical early stage at which such behaviour is acquired, to the laboratory and began to master their knowledge of ASL into her through imitation operant conditioning, in which they simply reinforced ...
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gestures. ASL also provided the advantage of conducting comparisons with deaf children and chimps. Chimpanzees, in addition, were an ideal choice as they were intelligent, sociable, and capable of strong attachments to humans. However, it was later recognized that their great strength was also a cause of serious hindrance. In June 1966, the Gardners then brought Washoe , a wild caught infant of 8-14 months, incase there was a critical early stage at which such behaviour is acquired, to the laboratory and began to master their knowledge of ASL into her through imitation operant conditioning, in which they simply reinforced desired behaviour; meanwhile ensuring maximum stimulation and minimum restrictions. At first she displayed little progress, as Washoe like most babies merely ‘babbled’ meaninglessly, slept a great deal, and only had a rudimentary hand-eye control. Later, through observing, imitation, and assistance in ‘moulding’ her hands, she learned more signs, and was rewarded by praising and tickling. However, Washoe when agitated or strained to give a correct sign, would throw a tantrum, bite the tutor, or escape by running away. The project was extended over a period of 32 months, and records were kept about the amount of signing behaviour and number of signs used. In order for the criteria of acquisition to be met, a reported frequency of atleast one appropriate and spontaneous occurrence each day over a period of 15 consecutive days had to be observed, in which the recording of a sign was all contingent upon observation and confirmation by 3 different observers. Despite the fact, that Washoe at times exhibited displacement in which she referred to signs that were not present, she was finally cleft and dexterous enough to meet this stringent criterion by the end of the 22nd month. Washoe could combine two signs spontaneously and had mastered 30 signs, therefore, meeting the strict paradigm; although the Gardners’ believed that further attempts would produce a better result, and that there was a probability that Washoe’s achievements could be exceeded by another chimp. At the end of the project, the Gardener’s could verify sign language, as hypothesized, as an appropriate medium of two-way communication. However, due to fact that this study was based on one individual and not generalized, it is under much criticism. Further, regarding the ethical nature of this study, it is criticized to a greater extent as to why the chimps be deprived of their natural habitat and be reared as children. The purpose of the study was questioned and is controversial to some. It is argued that chimps do not possess the structural dependence in language, and therefore do not have an innate propensity to acquire human language.