The evolution of complex social communication: What chimpanzees and bonobos can tell us about the origins of human language
Year: 2023
Type: preprint
Abstract: Human language is the most complex communication system in the animal kingdom. However, the selection pressures leading to its emergence are largely unknown. To better understand the evolutionary origins of human social communication, we must look to our closest extant relatives – chimpanzees and bonobos. Unfortunately, little is known about the origins of complex communication, as studies that directly compare the social behavior and communication of chimpanzees and bonobos are lacking. To this end, we aimed to 1) determine if the two species most closely related to humans exhibit a positive relation between social behavior and communicative production, and 2) evaluate species-level differences in social behavior and communication between bonobos and chimpanzees. To assess both individual-level and species-level social behavior and communication, we collected 9, 10-minute focal observations on 25 bonobos (Pan paniscus) and 24 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Analyses revealed that both species exhibited a positive association between social behavior and communication. Specifically, individuals that spent more time engaged with social partners communicated more often than individuals that were less social. Additionally, a MANCOVA indicated bonobos spent more time engaged with social partners and communicated more frequently than chimpanzees. Collectively, these results suggest that the communicative behavior of both species reflect adaptations to facilitate social interactions and navigate complex social environments. As the first study to compare directly the social and the communicative behavior of bonobos and chimpanzees, our findings support the hypothesis that complex communication, including human language, evolved as a tool to navigate increasingly dynamic social environments.
Institutions: Kennesaw State University, University of Michigan
Language: English
Topic: Primate Behavior and Ecology
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4389096464