Ask a Scientist - Why We Study Monkeys November 12, 2006

About Ask a Scientist: Ask a Scientist is an informative, entertaining science lecture series, held at a San Francisco cafe. Each event features a speaker on a current topic, a short presentation, and the opportunity to ask all those burning questions that have been keeping you up at night. No tests, grades, or pressure…just food, drinks, socializing, and conversation about the universe’s most fascinating mysteries! http://www.askascientistSF.com

This Month's Topic: Why We Study Monkeys

Just like humans, the furrier primates exhibit an extraordinarily diverse array of behaviors and social systems, allowing them to exploit a wide range of habitats. By studying monkeys we gain insight into the physiological and behavioral evolution of our own lineage. In other words, when we study them, we're essentially studying ourselves. Anthropologist Alexander Harcourt has been has been travelling the world conducting fieldwork on primate behavior studies since the early 1970’s. He'll tell us how research in the field and laboratory can elucidate the cognitive and behavioral capabilities of monkeys, providing a window into the evolution of intelligence, and a deeper insight into the biological and behavioral processes that drive our own behavior and thought processes. Tonight's event is presented in partnership with The Leakey Foundation.

Official Website: http://www.askascientistSF.com