Unveiling the Shocking 1931 Nature vs. Nurture Experiment: Child Raised with Chimpanzee:
Recently discovered video footage showcases an extraordinary experiment conducted by psychologists Winthrop and Luella Kellogg in 1931.
The couple aimed to explore the nature versus nurture debate by raising their ten-month-old son, Donald, alongside a seven-month-old chimpanzee named Gua in their Florida home.
Experiment Inspired by ‘Wolf Children’ and Unusual Ethical Choices:
Winthrop Kellogg’s fascination with the ‘wolf children’ of India, who adopted wild behavior, led to the unconventional experiment.
Instead of raising a child in the wild, the Kelloggs decided to bring a chimpanzee into their home and raise it alongside their son.
Daily Life of Donald and Gua: Dressing, Feeding, and Bonding as Siblings:
Donald and Gua were synchronized in daily routines, waking up and feeding together.
Gua, dressed like a baby, shared the same experiences as Donald, including meals in a high chair, stroller rides, and bedtime kisses.
The Kelloggs aimed to teach Gua the same skills as a toddler, leading to a sibling-like bond.
Cruel Experiments and Comparison Tests: Unusual Testing Methods Unveiled:
The experiment involved numerous unusual and sometimes cruel tests comparing the reactions of Donald and Gua.
Disturbing experiments included firing a gun near their heads, spinning them around, teasing to the point of distress, and hitting them on the head with spoons.
Other tests, seemingly more benign, checked for hand dominance and obstacle navigation.
Teaching Gua to Speak and Detailed Monitoring: Psychological Observations and Tests:
The Kelloggs were obsessed with teaching Gua to speak, attempting lip movements for words.
The experiment involved monitoring the subjects for various aspects, including blood pressure, memory, body size, reflexes, vocalization, language comprehension, and more.
Diverging Development Paths: Gua’s Rapid Growth and Donald’s Disturbing Changes:
Initially, Gua’s development outpaced Donald’s, particularly in motor skills. Gua responded to numerous phrases but eventually plateaued, unable to speak.
Meanwhile, Donald started exhibiting animal-like traits, walking on all fours, biting when aggressive, and developing a secret language with Gua.
Experiment’s Untimely End: Concerns and Consequences for Donald and Gua:
As Donald lagged in development and displayed concerning behavior, the Kelloggs ended the experiment early, returning Gua to captivity.
Gua’s life transitioned from a human home to a laboratory cage. In 1933, the study concluded that there are limits to humanization for non-human species. Gua died of pneumonia two years later.
Tragic Outcomes and Legacy: Impact on Donald and the Kelloggs:
Little is known about the impact on Donald, but he tragically took his own life in 1973 at 43, following his parents’ deaths in 1972.
The study, titled ‘The Ape and the Child,’ highlighted the ethical and developmental challenges in such experiments, leaving a haunting legacy.**
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