Story perspectives

Monkeys and Preschoolers Share Visual Intuition, Study Shows

7/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. researchers reported on July 20, 2026 that rhesus macaques and olive baboons matched humans in touchscreen task recognizing rotated or resized identical figures.
55 U.S. preschoolers, 21 adults, and 77 Tsimane’ adults from Bolivia also completed the task.
Researchers Jialin Li and Jessica Cantlon said monkeys and preschoolers used symmetry and angle judgments while adults relied on symbolic cues, indicating intuitions are shared across primates and refined by schooling.

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Story summary

U.S. researchers reported on July 20, 2026 that rhesus macaques and olive baboons matched humans in touchscreen task recognizing rotated or resized identical figures.
55 U.S. preschoolers, 21 adults, and 77 Tsimane’ adults from Bolivia also completed the task.
Researchers Jialin Li and Jessica Cantlon said monkeys and preschoolers used symmetry and angle judgments while adults relied on symbolic cues, indicating intuitions are shared across primates and refined by schooling.