Study Reveals Chimps and Bonobos Use Sexual Behavior to Manage Social Tensions
New research shows both species employ intimate behaviors for conflict resolution and stress reduction, offering insights into human evolutionary traits.
- Researchers compared sexual behaviors in bonobos and chimpanzees during tense social situations, such as post-conflict periods and pre-feeding times.
- The study observed 53 bonobos and 75 chimpanzees over seven months in African sanctuaries, collecting over 1,400 hours of data.
- Both species used sexual behaviors like genital rubbing and touching to reduce social tensions, with bonobos showing higher rates of such behaviors post-conflict.
- Non-kin pairs and older individuals were more likely to initiate these behaviors, suggesting they may be learned rather than innate traits.
- Findings indicate that using sex for social bonding and tension management is an inherited trait from a shared ancestor of humans, bonobos, and chimpanzees.
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