Beyond the fearful ape hypothesis: Humans are also supplicating and appeasing apes

Behav Brain Sci. 2023 May 8:46:e72. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X22001765.

Abstract

We review research suggesting that several of the functions attributed to fear, in the target article's fearful ape hypothesis, also apply to supplication and appeasement emotions. These emotions facilitate support provisioning from others and the formation and maintenance of cooperative relationships. We therefore propose that the fearful ape hypothesis be expanded to include several other distinctively human emotional tendencies.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Emotions
  • Fear / psychology
  • Hominidae*
  • Humans