What was one aim of the Yamamoto study?

The aim of the Yamamoto study was to investigate if chimpanzees can understand conspecifics' needs. This research specifically focused on the ability of chimpanzees to recognize when another chimpanzee requires help, which is a demonstration of their social cognition and empathy. The experimental setup involved observing whether the chimpanzees would provide appropriate tools to a partner who needed assistance to obtain food. By assessing their behavior in situations where one chimpanzee was unable to reach food without help, the study aimed to determine whether they could accurately interpret the needs of their peers. This understanding of others' needs is essential in exploring the broader cognitive abilities of chimpanzees and highlights their complexity in social interactions.