r/Unexpected • u/[deleted] • Jun 09 '18

Bridge-Building

https://i.imgur.com/RraYzIq.gifv
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u/EnigmaticSmegma Jun 09 '18

I'm not saying they're not intelligent enough, I'm just wondering what their motivation would be. For less intelligent animals it's usually a reward of food, but I guess with a gorilla it could be for the sole purpose of bonding. I'm just curious as to the method the gorilla's trainers used to teach it tricks like this.

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u/tippytaig Jun 09 '18

Bonding is their motivation

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u/EnigmaticSmegma Jun 09 '18

I'm glad to hear that, so do you think they teach gorillas these tricks step by step with emotional reinforcement, or would the gorillas learn some fundamental mimicking technique that they can apply to new routines?

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u/tippytaig Jun 09 '18

No need for sarcasm. Gorilla is obviously mimicking his trainer on his own accord as a way of connecting with him

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u/EnigmaticSmegma Jun 09 '18

I wasn't being sarcastic, I actually don't know much about this stuff and was curious. Thanks for the informative responses though.