An Example of Hockett's Productivity Characteristic in Non-Human Primate Communication

question 32

Multiple Choice

An example of Hockett's productivity characteristic in non-human primate communication would be demonstrated by an ape making the sign for

• A) banana in order to ask a researcher for a banana.
• B) banana when the researcher points to a banana.
• C) sweet sausage when asked to identify a banana before having learned the sign for banana.
• D) door when asked to identify a banana.

---

Definitions:

Goldenrod Plant

A genus of flowering plants in the aster family, known for their bright yellow spikes of flowers.

Agouti Gene

A gene that influences pigmentation patterns in mammals' fur by controlling the distribution of melanin.

Snowshoe Hares

A species of hare native to North America, known for their large hind feet and seasonal color change from brown to white.

Natural Selection

The process through which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more than those less well adapted.