Analyzing The Scientific Essay 'Monkey See, Monkey Connect'

In the scientific essay, “Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey Connect” Frans de Waal describes how imitation works in primates. He then argues that primates can bond and survive by copying each other. Frans de Waal provides examples of laughter, escape, and learning from others in order to show the importance of imitation in primates. At the beginning of the essay, de Waal discusses how laughter spreads rapidly and helps primates bond. Frans de Waal reveals, “Below my office at the Yerkes Primate Center, I often hear my chimps laugh during rough-and-tumble games, and I cannot suppress a chuckle.” A few key words from my evidence I will focus on are “cannot suppress a chuckle” and “chimps laugh.” This evidence shows how de Waal laughs a bit in his office at a primate center with his chimps

Frans de Waal asserts, “You’re in a flock of birds and one bird suddenly takes off. You take off. otherwise, you may be lunch.” The key words that I am focusing on are the words “take off” and “may be lunch.” This evidence shows that even though the birds didn’t know if there actually was danger, they still mimicked each other and fled away together. This connects by illustrating how animals and people copying each other can help them survive danger, real or not. At the end of the essay, de Waal shifts to how primates can learn and bond by copying each other. Frans de Waal conveys, “a chimpanzee filmed while using a heavy rock as a hammer to crack nuts. being observed by a younger ape who swings his own (empty) hand.” The key phrase that I will focus on is the phrase “being observed.” This evidence shows how a younger primate is able to learn how to do something new and connect with others by mimicking the actions and movements of an older primate who has more knowledge than they do. This connects by showing how one primate imitating another can learn new skills and bond with one