Cross-modal recognition in chimpanzees and monkeys

The performance of 3 chimpanzees and 4 rhesus monkeys was compared in a task of cross-modal recognition. Brief learning of visual and tactile two-choice object discrimination problems given alternately was followed in each case by an immediate recognition trial in the second modality. The results confirm earlier work in showing that both species are capable of visual recognition following tactile learning. In addition, we report the new finding that monkeys, as well as chimpanzees, show tactile recognition following visual exposure. In both modalities similar levels of cross-modal performance were reached by the two species.