{"id":304,"date":"2009-12-03T14:00:06","date_gmt":"2009-12-03T19:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wnet\/humanspark\/?p=304"},"modified":"2009-12-03T14:33:15","modified_gmt":"2009-12-03T19:33:15","slug":"in-the-news-for-chimps-ask-and-ye-shall-receive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wnet\/humanspark\/topics\/primates\/in-the-news-for-chimps-ask-and-ye-shall-receive\/304\/","title":{"rendered":"In the News: For Chimps, Ask and Ye Shall Receive"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Are chimpanzees altruistic?<\/p><\/div>\n

Part of possessing the Human Spark might be the inclination toward altruism \u2013 helping others even when there\u2019s no benefit to yourself, and maybe even a cost. Obviously human beings have a general capacity to help; think of volunteers rushing to the aftermath of a natural disaster or a pedestrian helping an elderly lady across the street. But is this an impulse we share with other animals? A new study suggests that chimpanzees do help out other chimps \u2013 but are much more likely to help if the chimp in need basically asks for it.<\/p>\n

In the experiment, chimps were separated in side-by-side clear booths. The researchers wanted to see if the animals would transfer a necessary tool from one to the other \u2013 they provided a stick to reel in a juice box and a straw to drink from it. Sometimes chimps spontaneously passed the tool to their partners. But if the recipient actively solicited help by reaching into its partner\u2019s booth or clapping its hands, the giver was more likely to help. The social relationship between the two chimps did affect whether or not help was offered.<\/p>\n

Are you surprised to learn that chimps communicate in this way? What do you think the difference is between this study\u2019s observations and the voluntary altruism of human beings?<\/p>\n

More information:<\/strong><\/p>\n