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Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
104 Biological Sciences Building
Box 90383
Durham, NC 27708-9976
(919) 684-4124  (Phone)
(919) 660-7348 (Fax)

    Brian Hare

  • Brian Hare

  • Associate Professor
  • Evolutionary Anthropology
  • 004 Bio Sci Building
  • Campus Box 90383
  • Phone: (919) 660-7292
  • Fax: +1 919 660 7348
  • Homepage
  • Secondary web page
  • Curriculum Vitae

  • Overview

    What is human about our mind and brain and how did it get that way? Brian Hare leads the The Hominoid Psychology Research Group (www.3chimpsduke.com) which compares the psychology of hominoids (human and non-human apes). Specifically, we seek to identify which features our social problem-solving abilities have evolved since humans, bonobos, and chimpanzees shared a common ancestor. In addition, we compare the psychology of various primates (e.g. lemurs) and non-primates (e.g. dogs) to identify cases of psychological convergence. Such cases of convergence may provide a unique opportunity to infer how human-like social skills evolved. We conduct our non-invasive behavioral research in accredited African sanctuaries, The Duke Lemur Center and accredited zoos. In addition, we study the cognition of domestic dogs and other canids at the Duke Canine Cognition Center (www.dukedogs.com) where people bring their pet dogs in to participate in some of the problem solving games we present to great apes and children. We are hoping to understand more about the effect of domestication on dog cognition, identify breed differences in problem solving skills and generally understand the skills and limits of dog cognition in order to help us understand how we might help dogs be more effective companion animals (e.g. for disabled people, detection of substances, etc.).

  • Other

    If your dog would like to participate in our problem solving games or you would just like more information about the Duke Canine Cognition Center, you can enroll at www.dukedogs.com or email dukedogcognition@gmail.com

  • Research Summary

    Human Cognitive Evolution

  • Education

      • Sofia Kovalevskaja Award,
      • Alexander von Humboldt Foundation,
      • 2004
      • Ph.D.,
      • Biological Anthropology,
      • Harvard,
      • 2004
      • B.A.,
      • Psychology and Anthropology,
      • Emory University,
      • 1998

  • Recent Publications

      • Sandel, A., Maclean, E..
      • 2011.
      • Convergent evolution in the social cognitive abilities of lemurs. Animal Behaviour. 81, 925-931.
      • .
      • Wobber, T..
      • 2011.
      • Psychological health of orphan bonobos and chimpanzees in African sanctuaries. PLoS One, 6, e17147.
      • .
      • Woods, V..
      • 2011.
      • Bonobo but not chimpanzee infants use socio-sexual contact.
      • Primates
      • 111-116
      • .
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  • PhD Students