Apes Continue to Outshine Humans with Their Emotional Intelligence: Another Heartfelt Showcase
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Scientific Reports on November 7, researchers from Duke University have found that bonobos, our closest primate relatives, exhibit a surprising act of kindness towards strangers without any personal reward.
The study, led by Malini Suchak and Felix Warneken, reveals that bonobos are willing to drop fruit into the room of a stranger when given the opportunity, even without any incentive or cue. This altruistic behavior, according to co-author Jingzhi Tan, is an attempt to understand what is similar to humans and what sets bonobos apart.
Interestingly, this behavior contrasts sharply with that of chimpanzees, our other close primate relatives. Chimpanzees are known for their aggression and violence, and they only help when requested to do so. Bonobos, on the other hand, seem to have a more cooperative and friendly nature.
Bonobos and chimpanzees share over 98% of their DNA, yet their social structures and behaviors are vastly different. Bonobos live in peaceful, matriarchal communities and use complex vocal sounds to communicate. They are known as the "friendly hippies" of the primate world.
The study also tested the consciousness of the Good Samaritan response by having bonobos watch short videos of other bonobos, some of whom were strangers from the Columbus Zoo. When the room of the stranger was empty, the bonobos were far less likely to drop the fruit, indicating that they were motivated to help the strangers.
Zanna Clay, a psychology professor at Durham University in England, states that this behavior contrasts with that of chimpanzees. She adds that warlike hostility towards outgroups is not the only part of human evolutionary history, and this study suggests that such behavior may have evolved among our closest relatives, the bonobos, depending on their social needs.
Female bonobos leave their family group as they reach adulthood, making getting along with strangers essential for their survival. Sex also plays a large part in certain social situations among bonobos, but this study focuses on a different aspect of their behavior: their willingness to help others without expecting anything in return.
This discovery challenges our understanding of primate behavior and sheds light on the evolution of altruism in humans. It's a reminder that cooperation and kindness towards strangers may be an important part of our evolutionary history, shared with our closest relatives, the bonobos.
