Great apes
Hominidae is the primate family otherwise known as ‘the great apes’. Humans belong in this family group along with bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans. The great apes are the largest of the primates, and the males of each species are bigger than the female.
when tickled, the other members of the great ape family produced a similar sound to humans.
Cute factor – Giggle
It’s not just biology and genetics that can tell us about how we evolved. A group of scientists investigating the evolution of laughter have made some amazing discoveries by listening to laughter produced by tickling.
Researchers noticed that when tickled, the other members of the great ape family produced a similar sound to humans. After a closer investigation of the data, looking at breathing control and vocal sounds, they found that bonobos, our closest cousin, had the most similar laugh. The scientists concluded that laughter has a shared origin, and that our human laugh has adapted with us.
Laughing is contagious – the evidence suggests that as well as producing laughter members of the great ape family also display mimicking behaviours during laughter and play. In humans, copying someone’s positive expression is part of empathising. It seems empathy might also play an important role for other group dwelling species.
A giggling chimp
Laughter creates the feel good factor for humans and chimps.
