In a groundbreaking cross-species observational study, researchers from Durham University have overturned long-standing assumptions about empathy in our closest primate relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees. Contrary to the prevailing belief that bonobos exhibit greater empathic tendencies than chimpanzees, the findings reveal that both species engage in consolation behaviors at similar rates, with significant variation occurring within each species itself. This discovery challenges decades of simplistic categorization of bonobo and chimpanzee social dynamics and opens new avenues for understanding the evolution of empathy.
The study meticulously analyzed the behaviors of 90 sanctuary-living apes—40 bonobos housed at the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 50 chimpanzees from the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia. Across an astounding total of 1,400 observation hours, the research team focused on instances where individuals responded to conspecifics experiencing natural episodes of distress, such as social conflicts or fights. By documenting these interactions in detail, they aimed to identify the consolation patterns expressed by each species.
Traditionally, bonobos have been viewed as the more peaceful and emotionally sensitive of the two species, often characterized as embodying heightened empathy and social tolerance. In contrast, chimpanzees have been portrayed as more aggressive and hierarchical. However, the data gathered by Dr. Jake Brooker and colleagues underscore that such binary representations oversimplify complex social behaviors. Both chimpanzees and bonobos demonstrated comparable frequencies and modes of consolation, including physical gestures such as embracing, hand grasping, and gentle touching—behaviors that closely mirror human expressions of empathy.
An intriguing dimension of the study revealed that age significantly influences consolation tendencies. Younger apes in both species were notably more likely to comfort distressed individuals compared to their older counterparts. This trend suggests that emotional sensitivity arises early in ape development and may diminish with age or changing social roles. In bonobos specifically, youth also predicted higher propensity not only to console but to receive consolation, implying a reciprocal pattern that may reinforce social bonds among younger group members.
In chimpanzee groups, the study further identified that social dynamics such as gender and relationship proximity played a crucial role. Young males and close social partners were the most active consolers, indicating that consolation behaviors might function strategically within the social frameworks governing dominance and affiliation. These nuances accentuate that empathy in non-human primates is not homogenous but modulated by individual and contextual factors, much as it is in human societies.
The methodological approach employed in this research is noteworthy for its naturalistic observational design. The team eschewed experimental manipulations often criticized for limiting ecological validity, instead capitalizing on authentic social interactions occurring within established ape communities. This robust approach allowed for high-resolution insights into species-typical behaviors while maintaining ethical standards and minimizing human interference in natural processes.
Beyond its immediate findings, the study carries profound implications for evolutionary psychology and anthropology. By revealing behavioral parallels in consolation between humans and the Pan genus, the research supports the hypothesis that empathic capacities were present in the last common ancestor shared by chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans. These shared traits illuminate the deep evolutionary roots of social emotions and cooperation, which are central to human culture and social complexity.
Moreover, the wide individual variation documented within species challenges researchers to reconsider the weight of species-level stereotypes in explaining ape sociality. Instead, focus shifts toward understanding how personality, social culture, and environmental contexts influence the expression of empathy. Such a perspective aligns with emerging views in primatology and social neuroscience that emphasize plasticity and socio-environmental determinants in behavioral phenotypes.
The researchers acknowledge that their findings represent an important first step and advocate for expanded investigations across diverse settings, especially in wild populations. Field studies incorporating longitudinal data and varying ecological pressures will be crucial to comprehensively map the landscape of consolation behaviors and their adaptive significance. Furthermore, incorporating neurobiological and hormonal analyses could shed light on the physiological substrates underpinning empathetic actions.
Dr. Brooker, leading the study from Durham’s Department of Psychology, emphasized the importance of transcending simplistic binary classifications. "Our findings illustrate that empathy is not an all-or-nothing characteristic wired rigidly by species," he stated. "Instead, empathy—and consolation in particular—is a dynamic social tool influenced by individual differences, age, social bonds, and cultural context."
Zanna Clay, senior author and collaborator, highlighted the evolutionary continuity underscored by the research. "The manifestation of consolation behaviors in both bonobos and chimpanzees reiterates that these social-affective tendencies are deeply embedded in our evolutionary lineage," Clay noted. "This convergence offers us a unique window into the social lives of our ancestors and the biological foundations of human empathy."
Funding for this comprehensive study was provided by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, underscoring the growing interest in the biological and social underpinnings of empathy across species. The published article appears in the prestigious journal Evolution and Human Behavior, marking an important milestone in comparative psychology and primate research.
As society moves toward greater consciousness of animal cognition and welfare, understanding the empathetic capacities of our close relatives provides ethical insights. Recognizing that bonobos and chimpanzees display nuanced emotional behaviors akin to humans encourages more informed and compassionate conservation efforts. It also invites reflection on the complex interplay of biology and culture that shapes social life across species, including our own.
Subject of Research: Animals
Article Title: Within-species variation eclipses between-species differences in Pan consolation
News Publication Date: 25-Apr-2025
Web References: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2025.106682
Image Credits: Credit: Zanna Clay/Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary
Keywords: empathy, consolation behavior, bonobo, chimpanzee, Pan genus, primate behavior, social cognition, evolutionary psychology, animal behavior, emotional development, species comparison, sanctuary study
