Researchers from Durham University have discovered that chimpanzees comfort each other during times of distress, challenging the long-held belief that they are aggressive and tyrannical. In fact, the study reveals that chimpanzees console their group members just as often as bonobos, a species often seen as more gentle. The findings suggest that emotional support is a key behavior in both species, shedding new light on their social interactions.
Chimpanzees and Bonobos Offer Emotional Support in Similar Ways
The study, which involved 1,400 hours of observation, focused on the emotional responses of chimpanzees and bonobos to group members in distress. Both species exhibited similar behaviors when consoling one another during conflicts or moments of emotional upheaval. Researchers found that both species provided physical comfort, such as touching, embracing, and hand-holding, which are behaviors commonly seen in humans offering emotional support.
Young Apes Are the Key Comfort Providers
Interestingly, the study revealed that younger members of both chimpanzee and bonobo communities are more likely to offer and receive comfort. In bonobo groups, it was primarily the younger apes who provided emotional support, while in chimpanzee groups, young males with strong social bonds were the most frequent comforters. The researchers also noted that older individuals in both species were less inclined to engage in comforting behaviors, suggesting that sensitivity to others’ emotions develops early in an ape’s life.
Challenging Old Beliefs About Chimpanzee Behavior
This research challenges the longstanding view that chimpanzees are inherently aggressive. Dr. Jake Brooker, the lead researcher, pointed out that while bonobos have traditionally been regarded as the gentler species, chimpanzees have now been shown to offer just as much emotional support. The study is the first direct comparison of consolation behaviors between chimpanzees and bonobos, two species that are closely related yet have very different reputations.
Research Locations and Future Insights
To conduct the study, researchers observed 40 bonobos at the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo and 50 chimpanzees at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia. The project was funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation. The team believes that ongoing research into these behaviors could offer new insights into the evolution of social interactions, not just in primates, but also in humans.
The findings suggest that emotional support and consolation might be more widespread in the animal kingdom than previously thought. Further research may continue to challenge our understanding of primate behavior, highlighting the complexity and depth of social interactions in these species.
