Chimp vs Human: Memory Test

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Transcript

00:00The scientists at Japan's Primate Research Institute, the PRI, where Ayumu is based,

00:06have devised intelligence tests for chimps.

00:11One test is for what's called working memory,

00:14the brain's ability to temporarily store and use information.

00:22The numbers 1 to 9 are randomly scattered across a touch screen.

00:26The chimp looks at them for as long as is needed to memorise the layout.

00:31Then, as soon as one is touched, the other numbers are hidden and must now be remembered.

00:39We volunteered Chris, the director of this programme, to demonstrate this test.

00:44He's a college graduate and a crossword addict, but how good is his working memory?

00:50When Chris reckons he has memorised the layout, he touches one.

00:53When the others are hidden, he must try to recall 2 to 9 in ascending order.

01:01It takes me ages to remember where they're all placed and then I think I've got it.

01:10It's really very, very difficult.

01:12In 30 attempts, Chris only once reached 9 without making a mistake.

01:27As soon as they're blanked over, it's like my mind's been blanked over as well.

01:32When Ayumu sat the same test, he correctly remembered the numbers almost 90% of the time.

01:51Ayumu gets it right almost every time and I've got it right once.

01:57Chris fears he's let his species down.

02:01But even when the PRI played Ayumu against their best human students,

02:05who were given regular practice sessions, Ayumu still beat all humans.

02:10Other chimps at the PRI have also sat the exams.

02:20Among these apes, computer skills are as normal as the ability to swing from the trees.

02:26Though none of his rivals beat Ayumu, a few came close.

02:30And average chimp results turned out to be higher than amongst humans.

02:36So, does that efficient working memory mean chimps are cleverer than humans?

02:45We tracked down a scientist who studies chimps in the wild.

02:49Dr. Nick Newton-Fisher.

02:52I think it's interesting the results that suggest that chimps may have particular cognitive abilities

02:56that are different and maybe in some aspects better than humans,

03:00because chimpanzees are not small primitive furry humans.

03:04They are a species that we share a common ancestor with maybe five, six million years ago,

03:09but they've evolved along their own individual path.

03:12They're better at doing chimp things and we're better at doing human things.

03:15And some chimp things may not simply be climbing up and down trees and eating figs.

03:20Some of those chimp things might be mental abilities as well.

03:22That's chimps one, humans nil.

03:25That's chimps one, humans nil.