In a recent study conducted by psychologists at Durham University, it has been found that young chimpanzees exhibit communication patterns that resemble the development of human infants. The researchers observed that chimpanzees, like infants, combine various gestures, sounds, and facial cues to convey their messages effectively in different contexts, such as play and conflict.
Throughout infancy and adolescence, chimpanzees develop the ability to use combined signals. Examples of these combined signals include pairing open-mouthed faces with laughter, whimpering while touching another chimpanzee, and baring teeth while squeaking.
The researchers suggest that understanding this “multimodal” form of communication could provide valuable insights into the evolution of communication in both humans and our closest ape relatives. Furthermore, it could offer a better understanding of how our own language skills emerge.
The study involved observing 28 semi-wild chimpanzees ranging in age from one to 11 years old at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust sanctuary in northern Zambia. Previous studies on apes have primarily focused on individual forms of communication signals, such as gestures, vocalizations, and facial expressions. However, this study examined how chimpanzees combine these different forms of communication as they age and encounter various social situations.
The findings revealed that chimpanzees consistently use standalone communication signals, such as grunting, arm movements, or facial expressions, across different ages and situations. As they grow older, they tend to combine different communication signals together, particularly in response to aggression or during play, to ensure clear communication and avoid potential risks.
Lead author Emma Doherty, a Research Postgraduate in the Department of Psychology at Durham University, stated that the combination of different types of communication, including speech, facial expressions, and gestures, is a characteristic of human language. The study suggests that the increased complexity of chimpanzee communication as they age mirrors the development of communication seen in human infants.
By studying the multi-layered communication of young chimpanzees, researchers aim to uncover the reasons behind this development and explore the evolutionary connections between humans and other apes.
The researchers emphasized the importance of further studying multimodal signals in primates in their natural habitats to gain a deeper understanding of how communication evolves in different environments. They also suggested that focusing on multimodal communication, rather than isolated signals, could provide valuable evidence for understanding the evolution of communication in apes and humans.
The research was funded by a Durham University Doctoral Scholarship, the British Association of Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology, and the Lucie Burgers Foundation for Comparative Behavioural Research. The study was published in the journal Animal Behaviour.
Reference: Doherty, E., Davila-Ross, M., & Clay, Z. (2023). Multimodal communication development in semiwild chimpanzees. Animal Behaviour, [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.03.020].
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about chimp communication
What did the study by psychologists at Durham University discover about chimpanzee communication?
The study found that young chimpanzees exhibit complex multimodal communication, combining various gestures, sounds, and facial cues, similar to how communication develops in human infants.
How does combining different communication signals benefit chimpanzees?
Combining different communication signals allows chimpanzees to enhance the clarity of their messages, particularly in varied contexts like play or conflict. It helps them convey their intentions effectively and avoid potential risks.
How does chimpanzee communication develop as they age?
The research showed that chimpanzees consistently use standalone communication signals at all ages but become more likely to combine different signals as they grow older. This development is especially evident in response to aggression or during play.
What can the study on chimpanzee communication tell us about human language skills?
The study suggests that the way chimpanzees communicate with increased complexity as they age mirrors the development of communication seen in human infants. Understanding this similarity provides insights into the evolutionary continuity between humans and other apes and sheds light on the emergence of our own language skills.
What are the implications of studying multimodal communication in primates?
Studying multimodal communication, rather than isolated signals, can provide a better understanding of how communication evolves in different environments. It offers valuable evidence for comprehending the evolution of communication in apes and humans and deepens our knowledge of primate behavior and developmental psychology.
More about chimp communication
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Study: “Multimodal communication development in semiwild chimpanzees” (Animal Behaviour)
Link to the study -
Durham University
Durham University Psychology Department -
Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust
Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust -
Lucie Burgers Foundation for Comparative Behavioural Research
Lucie Burgers Foundation
