Final answer:
The idiom that means primates replicate what they see is 'Monkey See, Monkey Do'. This reflects the observational learning displayed by many species, linked to the mirror neuron system crucial for the evolution of communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idiom that implies primates copy what they view is A) Monkey See, Monkey Do. This phrase highlights the observational learning behavior where an individual mimics the actions of another upon observing them. This concept is closely related to the research on mirror neurons, which are special brain cells found in primates that facilitate the imitation of others' actions. Scientific studies indicate that this capability of recognizing and replicating actions played a crucial role in the evolutionary development of communication and may have been a precursor to language.
Examples of observational learning are abundant in the animal kingdom, from chimpanzees learning more efficient ways to drink juice by watching each other to young wolves enhancing their hunting skills through observation. Primates, including monkeys and apes, cannot speak, but their ability to communicate through gestures, facial expressions, and imitation demonstrates the foundational nature of mimicry in social and communicative behaviors.