Learning and generalization of tool use by tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) in tasks involving three factors: Reward, tool, and hindrance.

We tested 4 captive tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) for their understanding of physical causality in variations of a 2-choice tool use task, 1 alternative of which allowed the monkeys easier access to food. Our monkeys, who had been adept at this task involving 2 items, that is, tool and food, quickly learned 3-term problems involving food, tool, and 1 type of hindrance (an obstacle or a trap, which could prevent success). All of the monkeys generalized their performance to new problems with the other type of hindrance and those with another familiar tool. These results suggest flexibility of their abilities to process complex physical information comprising 3 items in the environment, that is food–tool–hindrance spatial relationships. Such flexibility also implies that capuchin monkeys may possess rudimentary understanding of causal relationships involved in tool use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)