Language Evolution, Symbolic Cognition, Language Acquisition, Brain Development, Origin of the Human Mind | Terrence Deacon | 20
Mind & Matter
La ventaja de la inmadurez en el aprendizaje (del lenguaje)
The research with Kansi and Matata, a bonobo mother and child, showed that while attempting to train the mother to use a push button symbol system, Kansi, the immature offspring, passively observed and learned without formal training. This suggests that immaturity can be an advantage in learning language, as Kansi acquired a large vocabulary without direct training, similar to how children pick up language. The naturalistic, language-like approach of the system and the structural similarities to language may have contributed to Kansi's ability to learn through passive observation, which challenges the traditional belief that bonobos are better at language learning than chimpanzees. This also raises the idea that immaturity can offer advantages in learning due to differences in memory and learning systems, which may have implications for human learning as well.
