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Like us, chimps need hugs and kisses

msnbc.msn.com — Researchers studying people's closest genetic relatives found that stress was reduced in chimps that were victims of aggression if a third chimp stepped in to offer consolation. The result was a reduction of stress behavior such as scratching or self-grooming by the victim of aggression

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  • conradprc, on 06/17/2008, -2/+6I would think any sort of positive actions would create or mold an animal into a less aggressive specimen. This seems like common sense to me. Raise a dog to fight and it will be aggressive, so on and so forth.
  • petsheep, on 06/17/2008, -1/+3Level of stress in any environment requires a little TLC once in a while.
  • Hetman, on 06/17/2008, -1/+5The last article on diggs about monkey I was wondering that if at one time in the evolution of the Chimp that a smile will become a greeting of praise and happiness and not a greeting of I am going to bite you if you do not back off.
    • hauntedchippy, on 06/17/2008, -0/+2I've heard that a couple of times but I can't find any corroborating evidence, any links?
      The paper "Understanding chimpanzee facial expression: insights into the evolution of communication" by Lisa A. Parr and Bridget M. Waller, seems to suggest smiling in Chimps is homologus to humans.
    • TheAkolyte, on 06/17/2008, -0/+3Chimps smile to show harmlessness when afraid, not to display dominance.
    • Hetman, on 06/17/2008, -0/+1No I do not have any links but I will look. I just remember reading an article about how to deal with monkeys. "Why I was reading it I dunno." But anyways one of the suggestions was not to smile at them because to them it is a sign of aggresion. But I will see if I can find it.
  • StaticThunder, on 06/17/2008, -2/+1Wouldn't this story be better on monkeyfilter?
  • MrVeal, on 06/17/2008, -7/+2That's nice and all but I won't be the one to do it.. Who wants Michael Jackson's sloppy seconds? The jesus juice won't even give me the beer goggles I need to do that.
  • thebrinkman, on 06/17/2008, -2/+3psh, I could've told you that. it's when they reveal mankind's dormant need to hurl ***** at the wall that i'll be impressed.
    • MoofTheStoof, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2What do you think comment threads and internet forums ARE?
  • jabberwolf, on 06/17/2008, -3/+5Jungle love?
  • hapax, on 06/17/2008, -1/+9I need a hug
  • pakiranian, on 06/17/2008, -2/+3ingredients for stress reduction without TLC: bong, lighter, maryjane
    • Skooma714, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2You could have done something with THC but you didn't.
  • rald84, on 06/17/2008, -3/+1so who's up for kissing bush?
    • gazofnaz70, on 06/17/2008, -0/+5err...depends which bush your on about
  • brightscreamer, on 06/17/2008, -1/+1Anyone interested in this article should read the works of Harry Harlow. Brilliant man.
  • stlredbird, on 06/17/2008, -3/+3It's this kind of talk that got us into the whole AIDS predicament in the first place.
  • kevdotbadger, on 06/17/2008, -1/+3Tell me about it, my uncle is always trying to hug me.
  • kelly, on 06/17/2008, -3/+6Ya, dogs and cats need hugs and kisses too. What is he trying to say.

    The subtle implication, "see we both needs hugs. PROOF that we came from monkeys!"

    We all need affection.... animals of all kinds AND humans.
    • Hetman, on 06/17/2008, -0/+3My cat is a rebel it does not need anything but food water and ankles to attack. But as long as it has those three things it is happy.
    • Dimensio, on 06/18/2008, -0/+3"The subtle implication, "see we both needs hugs. PROOF that we came from monkeys!""

      I believe that you have misinterpreted the article and its conclusions. That humans and chimpanzees -- neither of which are monkeys -- share a relatively recent common ancestor is not the conclusion of the article. Rather, it is a basis on which the conclusions of the article are justified. That humans and chimpanzees share a relatively recent common ancestor has already been strongly confirmed through fossil and genetic evidence.

      I do not know how you have derived your conclusion, as it cannot be logically inferred as a conclusion of the article. The article only references monkeys in stating that a behaviour common to humans and chimpanzees has not been observed in monkey species.
  • DeathGod321, on 06/17/2008, -1/+10You say "us" like diggers get hugs and kisses.
  • GidsR, on 06/17/2008, -1/+2Another good recent to stop experimenting on them.
  • the0ther, on 06/17/2008, -2/+5*****!

    how the ***** is anyone reading digg still alive, if we need hugs & kisses to live???
  • cereal1, on 06/17/2008, -1/+1Apparently from the chimp picture I just received in my email, they need beejays too!
  • TheAkolyte, on 06/17/2008, -1/+2I miss my horse...
  • CrazedLeper, on 06/17/2008, -7/+1Bull(*sneeze*)it!

    What do "hugs and kisses" have to do with a "violent struggle for food"? Nothing, but the more stuff Neverlutionists associate with "survival" the more the fools will line up to believe it.
    • SpinningHead, on 06/17/2008, -1/+4What do "hugs and kisses" have to do with a "violent struggle for food"?
      Besides building group bonds and cooperation?

      Whats really funny is your using an old Darwinian model (ie. violet struggle for food) to try and oppose evolution. Now thats some impressive self delusion.
    • bgrah449, on 06/17/2008, -1/+4Isn't evolution more about a violent struggle for reproduction? Don't hugs and kisses have a lot to do with that?
      • Dimensio, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2"Isn't evolution more about a violent struggle for reproduction?"

        No, it is not.
    • nitsuj, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2"What do "hugs and kisses" have to do with a "violent struggle for food"? Nothing, but the more stuff Neverlutionists associate with "survival" the more the fools will line up to believe it."

      You've come up with this 'somethings happen for nothing' tact a few times now and ultimately it's a stark exposure on your lack of education and wilful ignorance.

      Like us, chimps are social animals. Their social bonding behaviors are critical for their survival.
  • fudged71, on 06/17/2008, -1/+3Code Monkeys too ='(
  • cpsutcliffe, on 06/17/2008, -0/+2Genetically similar... is similar. Who'd have guessed?
  • ssn697, on 06/17/2008, -2/+1It's okay to love your monkey, just don't LOVE your monkey.

    Kiss kiss, hug hug, then the next thing you know, the gift of AIDS...
  • MikesOK, on 06/17/2008, -0/+0great pick up line: "..uhm...hi...my head is itchy and notice how it's round ... kinda like a monkey or something..."
  • leerayIG88, on 06/17/2008, -2/+1I don't like kisses or hugs. I just love it when women give me blowjobs.
  • jaymzdean, on 06/17/2008, -0/+1Cracks me up that the powers that be ignore the fact that our closest genetic relatives are not chimps, but bonobos.
  • RickyBarnes1960, on 06/18/2008, -0/+2It comes as no surprise that chimps exhibit behaviors common among humans. With such genetic similarity, it stands to reason they at least have the potential for such behaviors. The only question is - with so much close-proximity interaction between humans and apes across the centuries, do the apes originate this behavior all on their own or has it been assimilated by observing such behavior among humans? Either way, I have no doubt the chimps do so, not out of mimicry alone, but due to genuine emotional need.

    Sadly, I don't see any guarantees in human behavior that such studies are liable to induce greater respect on our part for other forms of life - even closely related ones. Still, science has to be encouraged to continue such work. Revealing the truth of other species is the only certain way to earn them respect from human beings. In the end, such study will redefine the boundaries of what it is to be "human".
  • AThoughtOrTwo, on 06/18/2008, -1/+1Kinda makes you wonder tho WHY schools have instituted a "NO TOUCH" policy. Is it out of ignorance or DO THEY KNOW that if little Johnny/Joanie DOESN'T get hugs and kisses and consolation - s/he is a lot more stressed?
    Makes me wonder...
  • 4eloBek, on 06/18/2008, -0/+1Nice research, money well spent!
  • SquareEnix, on 06/18/2008, -0/+1xoxox !!!
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