A Helping Hand Upon Request

In the October 14th, 2009 Science Daily article, “Chimpanzees Help Each Other On request But Not Voluntarily, ” the author reviews an experiment that gives insight into the evolution of altruism. Altruism, or the selfless concern for the well being of others, can be seen in various human behaviors, but is seemingly lacking in almost all other species. Most would agree that such selfless acts would be a waste of energy, and there for would not evolve, since the receiver reaps all the benefits. However, the study discussed in this article has shown that such behaviors may exist in our close relative, the chimpanzee.

Researchers at the Primate Research Institute and the Wildlife Research Center at Kyoto University have found that chimpanzees will help others of their species even in the absence of personal gain. Under the principle investigator, Shinya Yanamoto, behavioral studies were completed using twelve chimps; three unrelated adult pairs, and three mother-offspring pairs. Two types of experiments were done to demonstrate selfless acts among the different pair subjects. The first experiment required the trading of tools between chimpanzees. This was done by setting up separate pens, each with different tool-required enrichments that rewarded food. A window allowed for contact between chimps and the tools needed for the enrichment tasks were swapped before each experiment. The second experiment further tested the ‘helping behavior’ by only putting one tool in the wrong pen. This way there was no benefit from the trade as in experiment one, and the ‘giver’ chimpanzee would not he benefiting in anyway. In both experimental types, and with in all pair types the chimpanzees transferred tools to help their partner.

A major observation made was that in most cases one of the partners would ‘ask’ for help either by putting out their hand, poking the other through the window or clapping. This occurred in both related and unrelated pairs as well as in both experiment types. Since this was the case, researchers concluded that communication plays a large role in encouraging altruistic behaviors. It was proposed that this could possibly be done so that help is only given when needed and energy is not wasted on unnecessary altruism.

In conclusion, this article points out a couple important ideas. First, it may be possible that such a behavior evolved because it was helpful to the species; but it is also possible that chimpanzees gain emotional satisfaction for helping one another as humans do. Another important idea is that emotional behaviors which seem very hard to dissect may have evolved in humans just as all other things have. Lastly, even though the idea of sending a message ( clapping/putting hand out) and benefiting exists in this case, there is also another element of giving and not getting anything back in return which in some ways contradicts basic ideas of communication and behavior.

Posted by Jackie Connolly ( week 4-group A)