Behavioral Similarities Between Humans, Chimps, And Apes

The first trait that supports similarities between humans and animals is shame. Both Man and animals can feel shame in something they have done, and might even regret. As Twain wrote, “Man is the Animal that Blushes. He is the only one that does it- or has occasion to.” However, animals can also feel shame in something they have done. For example, if a dog bites another human, sometimes they show a sense of shame by their reaction. They may try to show their shame by going to lie down somewhere in the room, or show affection to their owners. This is the same motive of a human. For example, if two people get into a fight, sometimes one of the people call to check on the other person and apologize for something they said. The show regret in their actions, like animals may do, which creates a similar connection between them.

Many things do have feelings when you think they don't have feelings. Many things are not exactly what it seems. Animals have many similarities and differences to humans. Starting with the story the pod.

Jeremy Rifkin in the article " A Change of Heart about Animals" argues on the fact that as incredible as it sounds, many of our fellow creatures as like us in so many ways. For example, in a movie named Paulie a young girl that suffers autism gets attached to a parrot. The girl struggles to talk but she just can't. Time passes by and then the girl starts talking because the parrot helped her. An incident happened so the little girl's parents decide to let the parrot go. The parrot ends up in an animal testing lab but somehow he managed to escape. The parrot begins to miss his owner because he formed a bond with a human being. Obviously, this proves Rifkin is right when he states that animals experience feelings like human beings.

Ecologist Kinji Imanishi first introduced the concept of culture in a non-human species in 1952. He suggested that Japanese macaque populations develop behavioural differences as a result of social, rather than genetic, variation. Since then, scientists have claimed that a wide range of species exhibit signs of culture, including rodents, birds, fish, marine mammals, and non-human primates. Of all the species studied to date, only humans exceed the level of cultural variation shown by chimps.

Emotions play an extremely important role in human mental life. Unlike the chimpanzee, human emotions are easier to read because of their physical responses such as tears in their eyes or their lips changing shape. In the same way as chimpanzees, humans use gestures to communicate with each other, yet they use words instead of sounds.

Over the years, this topic of whether nonhuman primates possess culture or not, has generated numerous debates. This has led to conversations on what is culture and if it is uniquely human. How each researcher defines culture correlates with whether they believe non-human primates possess culture. The definitions provided by scientists and other researchers vary based on its complexity and how loosely or specific they define it; as well as how inclusive and exclusive they are about what is considered a culture. This varies from discipline to discipline where anthropologist believes that culture is learned while biologist believe it is an innate trait.

Love comes in numerous ways and can be expressed in countless fashions. Love is powerful, has a meaning, and is capable of eclipsing time all due to the human psyche. One can love anything from a family member, to a fictional character in a TV show, or even an inanimate object. The fluidity of love is what makes it so difficult to understand if one is “in love” or has ever experienced love. Experiences often mold a person’s perspective on what love truly is. Love is not an emotion, but rather a condition of the mind that cause one to act in ways that are uncharacteristic. It can be blinding, obsessive, and pure, depending on the reciprocation of the love. Since love is an abstract concept, one simply cannot measure how much love they have received or given alike. Although the human brain can perceive and interpret other’s actions or words as signs of love and care, in which the mind processes this into the mental psyche that is love.

“Consciousness is a fundamental biological adaptation. In all mammals alertness and sensory consciousness are required for the goal-directed behaviors that make species survival and reproduction possible.” (Baars p.6) They have language to communicate with each other. They use words, motions and binary strings, “They have a semantic organization...; they convey social information...; and all languages refer to objects or events distant in time or space.” (Schonfeild p.3) Bees do a dance to communicate in their own dialect with each other regarding food sources. They share culture. The macaques on Koshima islet in Asia learned behaviors copied by others in the group. “There are socially transmitted differences in animal behavior-and consequently animal cultures” and they reflect a will to order their houses for the better.” (Schonfeild p.4) It 's possible for animals to create culture and pass it down. Take the case of the monkeys washing the sweet potatoes in the salt water because it tastes better. These animals are consciously differentiating between salty and fresh water tastes. They are

     I think that if culture is defined as learned behavior, than it is reasonable to say that primates posses a form of culture. Primates have been observed making tools to aid in collecting food and developing communication system, both of which are learned behaviors.

“What these researchers are finding is that many our creatures are more like us than we ever imagined. They feel pain, suffer and experience stress, affection, excitement and even love -- and these findings are changing how we view animals,” said by Rifkin. In Rifkin’s article, A Change of Heart about Animals, highlights the fact we should have empathy of the way we treat our creatures that we share the earth with. He supports his argument with examples of animals having adroitness such as human do. Rifkin also addressesthe brain anatomy and chemisty similar to us.

The article “A Change of Heart About Animals” written by Jeremy Rifkin informs readers that animals feel emotions very much similar to humans and should be given more rights. I agree with Rifkin’s statement, but to a certain extent.

These animals are just like us in a different way. Most of them share the same emotions as us. Also, they learn like us. Many people break that argument by saying that animals can't completely relate to our empathy because they do not have a sense of mortality or can comprehend the concept of their own death. That is not the case.

Animals have feelings just like humans. Life isn't just about hunting. ‘

If you argue that non-human primates DO have culture, then what makes humans different. We obviously are (consider the dramatic manipulation of our environment—fire use, mining, monumental

The idea that social animals can display morals and empathy in the same way as humans do is amazing, but also very natural as they are living beings. Animals can also be very caring, loving, and understanding toward each other. Humans witness this in their homes everyday living with their pets of choice. Zoos and animal sanctuaries also experience all of the human-animal qualities and have the research to prove it. If more people are made aware of the human qualities of animals it can help our animal population to thrive and be safe from animal experimentation. Animals can continue to live happy and healthy lives within their own natural environment. They have and show many moral human qualities such as reconciliation, cooperation, empathy, reciprocity, compassion, understanding, and intelligence.