Slashdot Mirror


Study Shows Monkeys Like Watching TV

According to a Japanese study, monkeys are not immune to the siren call of the idiot box. It seems rhesus monkeys enjoy watching videos of circus animals. From the article: "The study found that when the monkey was witnessing the acrobatic performances of circus animals on a television screen, the frontal lobe area of its brain became vigorously active. The activity in such an area was significant in reflecting the monkey's pleasure, as the human equivalent is a neurological area associated with triggering delight in a baby when it sees the smile of its mother."

4 of 103 comments (clear)

  1. off my lawn, etc by Eil · · Score: 2, Informative

    According to a Japanese study, monkeys are not immune to the siren call of the idiot box

    That's "siren song," you illiterate clod.

  2. Re:And right now by GooberToo · · Score: 3, Informative

    That's not surprisingly in the least since Chimps have been shown to like action movies and even porn. Chimps can become physically agitated when watching action movies or even scary movies. They seemingly even understand suspense, which seems to validate a higher level of intelligence. Like humans, chimps react to stimuli such as anger, violence, kindness, and sexuality. In each case, they have shown a propensity for enjoying the content of what is they watch; just as humans do.

  3. Re:Coming up on the Monkey Television Network by Hatta · · Score: 2, Informative

    There was a short lived TV show on TBS featuring chimps running a TV network. It was appropriately named The Chimp Channel and was actually pretty good if you like that kind of thing.

    --
    Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
  4. Re:And right now by stupid_is · · Score: 2, Informative

    The gorilla at Longleat Safari Park has a big plasma/LCD screen with satellite and has to be actively discouraged from using it too much - he has the controller to use, too, I seem to recall.

    Can't remember what we were told was his favourite show, though

    --
    -- Intelligence is soluble in alcohol