Question

In 100-200 words, describe and discuss two experiments, observations or behaviors that you found especially interesting or revealing. Be sure to tell us whether the primate was a chimp or bonobo. What might we learn from the experiment, observation, or behavior about primate behavior and/or human behavior (for example, about emotions, the ability to control impulses, learn from one another, etc.)? Does the observation suggest any similarities or differences between humans and other apes?

Answer 1

Describe and discuss two experiments, observations or behaviors that you found especially interesting or revealing:

Chimp gene was sequenced in chimp in 2005, which reveals 99% of DNA similarities between humans and chimpanzees. This make them the closest living relative for humans. The two species of apes which show close relativity are: bonobos (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Both bonobos and chimpanzees are highly similar to each other in many respects but they differ widely in social behavioural patterns. For example, male chimpanzees compete for dominance rank and obtain sex by using aggression, whereas, bonobo males are found more subordinate to females and also more playful and intense also often involves same-sex partners. Studies also reveals that bonobos handle their own emotions as well as they recover more quickly and easily from their own emotional upheavals. They also showed more empathy towards fellow apes and also involved in body comfort like kissing, embracing, touching to those in distress and those characteristic behavior are still similar to human’s. Though we share 99% of our DNA with bonobos and chimpanzees, yet our behavior is so different.