title: Mother-infant interactions in captive and wild chimpanzees.
abstract: We review studies on mother-infant interactions in chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, in captive and wild environments. Infant cognitive development is formed through mother-infant interactions during the long dependent period, which is approximately 5 years. Patterns of interaction between mothers and infants are different from those observed in adult chimpanzees. Mother-infant interactions are relatively altruistic, although solicitation by infants is almost always required. Active teaching has rarely been reported in chimpanzees; instead, infants socially learn new skills through long-term observation. Case studies describing rearing of a disabled infant by a multiparous but inexperienced chimpanzee, and the carrying of dead infants in the wild chimpanzees of Bossou reveal the strong affectionate bond between mothers and infants. Characteristics of human mother-infant interaction are highlighted through comparisons with chimpanzees.
authors.affiliation: Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan. Electronic address: hayashi.misato.4e@kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Misato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.affiliation: Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuzawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002657:Child Development; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D002679:Pan troglodytes
keywords: Chimpanzees; Cognitive development; Mother–infant interaction