Although most people prefer individuals that are attentive and help, bonobo primates are more attracted to opposite traits, suggests the results of a new study
Children from the age of three months have the ability to distinguish between loving and evil people with the tendency to choose those that help others, Futurity informs.
But in the case of bonobo primates, specialist Brian Hare, anthropologist at Duke University, tried to find out if they are subject to the same rules. In a series of tests, the specialists presented a group of 24 bonobo primates with Pac-Man game shapes as they try to climb a hill. Then, in the scene, another animated character appears. In some cases it helps the shapes to climb the hill, and in others it prevents them from reaching the top. Then the researchers offered the primates two slices of apple. One placed under a sheet with the image of the charity character and the other under the image of the one who was not helpful. They followed the primates' preferences through the apple slices they chose.
In another experiment, the primates chased a moment when an actor plucked a plush animal from his hand. Then another person comes and returns the animal, but in other cases there is also a third person who steals the animal. Eventually, the primates had to choose from the hand of their people receiving an apple slice.
In both tests, primates managed to distinguish between good and bad individuals. But, unlike humans, Bonobo primates chose the negative character.
Specialists say that behind this preference is the primacy of the primates to keep almost the dominant members of the group. For primates, dominant members can be better access to food, mating partners and other benefits.
source:descopera.ro