Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Chimpanzees and Bonobos May Reveal Clues to Evolution of Favor Exchange in Humans

Jaeggi suggests we should take seriously this evidence of long-term reciprocity in animals. "It's really not qualitatively different from what people do," he said. "They establish these lasting relationships, and within them, services are exchanged without the participants keeping close track of who's doing what for whom."

However, humans also have the capacity for more contingent reciprocity, which raises questions about its purpose, and how it developed. "Maybe that's something that's more culturally learned," said Jaeggi.


MORE:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121120132908.htm