ABSTRACT

If the principle of experimentation is to be applied in a very simple form, the authors use the phrases "direct way" and "roundabout way" quite literally in place of the biologically-determined direct way, necessitates a complicated geometry of movement towards the objective. This chapter provides a test which, on nearer investigation, appears to be the simplest and, in some respects, fundamental for theoretical problems, will, in chimpanzees from four to seven years of age and in the form described, yield no results which cannot be observed in their ordinary behaviour. Chimpanzees will get round any obstruction lying between them and their objective, if they have sufficient view of the space in which lie the possible detours. The path may lie across flat ground, or over trees and scaffolding, or even up under a roof as long as they can grab hold of something.