Chimpanzees and Bonobos Use Proactive Touch to Prevent Conflict, Study Finds

A research article released on July 22 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B indicates that semi-wild bonobos and chimpanzees utilize affectionate gestures such as hugs, kisses, and pats to alleviate tension and avert conflicts. Over 60 sessions of a feeding task known as the peanut swing, researchers monitored five groups at sanctuaries in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Apes that engaged in friendly interactions prior to receiving peanuts tended to feed together without conflict. This behavior was most pronounced in groups exhibiting high social tolerance and was absent in those led by authoritarian figures. Female bonobos were more likely to touch other females, while male chimpanzees engaged in physical contact with fellow males, reflecting their respective social structures. Additionally, chimpanzees displayed trust by placing body parts in each other's mouths and holding genitals. These findings imply that friendly touch as a means of reducing tension may have significant evolutionary origins, dating back to a common ancestor from six to eight million years ago. The study was co-authored by Zanna Clay from Durham University and Jake Brooker from Utrecht University.