Schoeck_2010_EnvyATheoryOfSocialBehaviour.pdf

92 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ENVY
first series of experiments, the box method, the food was placed in a
wooden container with a lid. This box was made available at short
intervals throughout the day. It was rare for both chimpanzees to try to
get hold of the titbit.
In the second and more prolonged series of experiments, the researchers
used a wooden chute which was fixed to the side of the cage at a
certain time every day. During the daily period of experiment, the
experimenter let the titbit roll down the chute into the cage at ten- or
thirty.:second intervals. A signal drew both the chimpanzees' attention to
the fact that they were about to be fed. During the first series of tests, the
male, Pan, first came and took the titbit. The female, Josie, sat contentedly
by, obviously assenting to Pan's right to take everything he
wanted. Pan, on the other hand, according to Yerkes, was quite obviously
not at ease over this one-sided taking of the food. 'He talked low and
questioningly to himself in a manner never before noticed. '
Pan went on asserting his precedence until the seventh experiment.
But then Josie snatched the titbit out of the chute before Pan's outstretched
hand reached it. 'Without show of resentment he left the chute
and she took possession. He neither returned nor gave sign of restlessness
or dissatisfaction.' Upon which Yerkes asks: 'The aforementioned
conversation-like vocalization may have been an intimation of conscience
or of deference toward a consort. Was it?'
The following day the female was able to take the food out of the chute
without interference from Pan although he evidently wanted it. On the
third day the picture was different: both chimpanzees approached the
chute expectantly. Josie took control and Pan quietly walked away. After
taking one bite, however, Josie left the chute, hurried across to the male
and brought him back to the feeding-place where she presented herself to
him sexually, but without success. But with the female beside him,
visibly eager to have the food, Pan stood in front of the chute and took the
next bits of banana that came down.
At the third experiment, however, she again forestalled him. Pan
immediately went away and did not return to the feeding-place. That day
Josie got nine of the ten portions presented during the experiment. The
next day the male tried once more to take a titbit. Josie screamed at him,
and during the following days she took the food almost always alone and
without interference from Pan.