Newswise — Recent studies reveal that juvenile chimpanzees employ various gestures, vocalizations, and facial expressions in a manner that mirrors the progression of communication observed in human infants.
Psychologists from Durham University discovered that juvenile chimpanzees integrate diverse communication signals to enhance mutual understanding among their peers during various scenarios, including playful interactions and conflicts.
The researchers found that this ability develops throughout infancy and adolescence.
These combined signals involved the simultaneous use of playful open-mouth faces coupled with laughter, accompanied by touching another chimpanzee while whimpering and displaying bared teeth while emitting squeaking sounds.
The researchers claim that comprehending this "multimodal" style of communication may illuminate significant insights into the evolution of human and ape communication, as well as provide further understanding of the emergence of our own language abilities.
Their study, which also involved the University of Portsmouth, is published in the journal Animal Behaviour.
Researchers studied 28 semi-wild chimpanzees, aged between one and 11 years, at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust sanctuary situated in northern Zambia.
Although previous research on apes primarily focused on examining individual communication signals such as gestures, vocalizations, and facial expressions, the recent discoveries investigated the integration of these diverse communication forms among chimpanzees. The aim was to understand how this integration evolves with age and in different situations.
The researchers discovered that chimpanzees consistently employed independent communication signals, such as grunting, arm movements, or facial expressions, regardless of age or the specific circumstances they were in.
However, they also showed that as the chimpanzees got older, they were more likely to combine different communication signals together.
According to the researchers, this was particularly evident when the chimpanzees were reacting to aggression or engaging in play, as these were situations where it was crucial for them to effectively convey their intentions in order to prevent potentially harmful consequences.
During aggression scenarios, the researchers observed that the older adolescent chimpanzees displayed a higher tendency to utilize a combination of various communication signals rather than relying solely on individual gestures or expressions.
Emma Doherty, the lead author of the research and a Research Postgraduate in the Department of Psychology at Durham University, stated, "When we consider human language, we recognize that it encompasses a blend of diverse communication modalities, including speech, facial expressions, and gestures."
“The way we communicate likely has deep evolutionary roots that are shared with some of our closest living relatives such as apes.
"Our study offers evidence that the progression of communication complexity in chimpanzees as they mature aligns with the developmental patterns observed in human infants," stated Emma Doherty, the lead author of the research and a Research Postgraduate in the Department of Psychology at Durham University.
"Through investigating the developmental process of this intricate form of communication in young chimpanzees, we can gain further insights into the underlying factors and potentially uncover evolutionary connections between humans and other ape species," emphasized Emma Doherty, the lead author of the research and a Research Postgraduate in the Department of Psychology at Durham University.
The researchers emphasized the need for additional studies that focus on observing multimodal signals in primates within their natural habitats. Such research would contribute to a deeper understanding of how communication development is influenced by various environmental factors.
The researchers also emphasized the significance of studying multimodal communication as opposed to examining isolated communication signals. They suggested that such an approach could offer stronger evidence regarding the development of communication in apes and potentially contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary trajectory of human communication.
Dr. Zanna Clay, the corresponding author of the research and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Durham University, remarked, "Much of the existing research on communication, whether in humans or other animals, has predominantly examined individual communication signals in isolation. However, we are aware that humans consistently integrate these signals from early stages of infancy."
"As a closely related species to humans, apes provide us with valuable insights into the potential evolutionary progression of these signals towards multimodal communication, ultimately leading to the development of human language," stated Dr. Zanna Clay, the corresponding author of the research and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Durham University.
The research received funding from various sources, including a Durham University Doctoral Scholarship, the British Association of Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology, and the Lucie Burgers Foundation for Comparative Behavioural Research.
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