Chimps Possess Empathy Gene

Darwin’s theories on evolution have the human species paired with monkeys in many ways, and new evidence proves they may be more like us than we originally thought--through acts of physical affection.

There’s no question that a hug, kiss or pat on the back can help a human’s emotional pain and suffering. It turns out chimpanzees feel the same way, and are equally enamored with the outcome. Researchers found that stress was reduced in chimps if a fellow member of their species gave them some consolation.

Chimps are set apart form other similar species like monkeys, who don’t show the same affection.

“Consolation usually took the form of a kiss or embrace,” said Dr. Orlaith N. Frasier, who conducts research at the Evolutionary Anthropology and Paleoecology Center in Liverpool. Frasier and his team studied a group of chimps at the Chester Zoo in England for a year and a half, recording instances that prove his theory.

The reason this new finding holds such importance has to do with when the chimps offer the consolation, which is “rarely seen other than after a conflict,” Orlaith adds. The hugging or wrapping their arms around each other always resulted in a significant reduction in stress for the recipient.

The study also holds particular importance because there was once doubt that physical affection caused any reaction at all in chimps. Dr. Frans de Waal who works for Emory University in Atlanta says this new discovery proves those theories wrong. “This study removes doubt that consolation really does what the term suggests: provide relief to distressed parties after conflict,” he states. (AP)

Researchers compare the chimp’s behavior to those of human children, which de Waal says, “Is in fact identical to that of apes.” And like children, the chimps only appeared to calm aggression for those they already have loyal relationships with of some kind.

Not only is there evidence that chimps give affection, but in other animals as well, such as birds and dogs. Though more tests need to be conducted to show those species have the same effects.