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Researchers from Durham University have uncovered new insights into social contagion in chimpanzees, revealing that these primates are capable of catching friendly behaviours, which may strengthen social bonds and increase group harmony.
The study, conducted at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia, observed two affiliative behaviours—grooming and play—and found that these behaviours can spread among group members in a way that promotes group cohesion.
This groundbreaking study has been published in the journal PLOS ONE, which expands our understanding of social contagion, often thought to relate mostly to negative or neutral behaviours, by showing how positive social actions can also ripple through a community.
Chimpanzees, much like humans, exhibit social and emotional awareness, and their behaviours can be influenced by observing others.
In the study, individuals were more likely to begin grooming or playing after watching another chimp engage in the same activity. Importantly, grooming contagion tended to occur more frequently between close social partners, a pattern found with other empathic behaviours.
Play contagion, on the other hand, was especially pronounced in younger chimpanzees, who often rely on play as a primary form of socialisation.
The findings suggest that behavioural contagion may be an important mechanism underlying group dynamics in social animals, helping to maintain harmony and cooperative relationships.
Lead author of the study, Georgia Sandars of Durham University said: "Researching basic social processes in chimpanzees allows us to better understand healthy social functioning in our ape relatives, and gives insights into the evolution of human sociality."
Researchers note that these processes in chimpanzees could provide a model for understanding the evolutionary roots of human social behaviour and empathy.
By highlighting the role of positive emotional contagion in a non-human primate species, the study invites further exploration into how similar processes operate across animal species, potentially shaping group living and social stability.
The study was conducted in a naturalistic, non-invasive manner, strictly adhering to ethical guidelines, and it involved over 200 hours of observation of 41 chimpanzees.
This research underscores the adaptability of primates in social interaction and offers significant contributions to fields studying animal behaviour, empathy, and social bonding.
