When it comes to animals and friendships new studies are sharing some light regarding the nature of these relationships and their function or advantage on the lives of all sorts of species. Dorothy Cheney, a biologist at the University of Pennsylvania, has studied primate relationships for four decades. "Friendships" between animals be it having someone share in a meal, have your back when conflict arises or just a kind or friendly gesture appeared..."to look like a strong, evolutionarily ancient phenomenon that’s shared by many social species" said Cheney. Here is the link:
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/339326/description/Furry_Friends_Forever
Apparently scientists have also observed a myriad of species, from horses to monkeys and chimpanzees making decisions as to with whom they wish to spend time hanging out, feeding, grooming, etc. Another interesting discovery is the fact that animals who spend time together form close bonds, resulting in more friendly (affiliative) behaviors and less aggression directed to the companion.
For my part, I am more interested and fascinated by close “friendships” between animals of different species. Past views lead scientists to believe that animals formed strong bonds between closely related individuals. Studies of dolphins, horses, and chimpanzees have now given way to the fact that animals also can form profound and lasting bonds with animals of different species.
It is, however, all too easy for us to relish in these close relationships between animals and forgo looking at what exactly we are labeling as “friends." The point here is not to deny these bonds, but to be able to describe what these bonds “look like” by our factual observation and description of the specific behaviors that constitutes what we commonly refer to as altruism in animals.
As Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D. of the Department of Psychology at Utah State University (www.behaviorworks.com) mentioned to me, “altruism” in this context is a label - a construct. She also brought to my attention the fact there is more flexibility (i.e.: variation in expression of behavior in general that we give it credit.) Dr. Friedman also theorizes that it is possible that animals form close contact relationships with one another because social relations (and closeness) are considered by many species to be at top of their list of what they consider to be a reinforcer. So in essence, it should come as no surprise that animals thrive when in social contact with either members of their own close-knit or – because of the “flexibility” of learned behavior also benefit and procure the closeness of other species.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/339326/description/Furry_Friends_Forever
Apparently scientists have also observed a myriad of species, from horses to monkeys and chimpanzees making decisions as to with whom they wish to spend time hanging out, feeding, grooming, etc. Another interesting discovery is the fact that animals who spend time together form close bonds, resulting in more friendly (affiliative) behaviors and less aggression directed to the companion.
For my part, I am more interested and fascinated by close “friendships” between animals of different species. Past views lead scientists to believe that animals formed strong bonds between closely related individuals. Studies of dolphins, horses, and chimpanzees have now given way to the fact that animals also can form profound and lasting bonds with animals of different species.
As Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D. of the Department of Psychology at Utah State University (www.behaviorworks.com) mentioned to me, “altruism” in this context is a label - a construct. She also brought to my attention the fact there is more flexibility (i.e.: variation in expression of behavior in general that we give it credit.) Dr. Friedman also theorizes that it is possible that animals form close contact relationships with one another because social relations (and closeness) are considered by many species to be at top of their list of what they consider to be a reinforcer. So in essence, it should come as no surprise that animals thrive when in social contact with either members of their own close-knit or – because of the “flexibility” of learned behavior also benefit and procure the closeness of other species.
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