Culture defines who people are. Through humans, culture is passed down through the way people communicate with one another. However, in non-human primates, the practice of culture isn’t as obvious compared to humans.
Non-human primates have many ways to express their culture through their actions. For example, non-human primates all have different hunting techniques. In Jane Goodall’s research about chimpanzees, she listed 39 behaviors.
One of those behaviors is nut-cracking due to their method of grabbing rocks and smashing the shell. Nut-cracking is a cultural behavior because it was passed down by learning and imitation. Similar to humans, people have learned to cook food based on where they came from and pass it down.
Chimpanzees do the same thing because it takes young chimps years to master by practicing the technique. Through watching a trial and error the young chimpanzees will soon acquire the learned behavior. Hunting techniques for all primates whether its fishing or gathering fruits are a variety of ways culture is exhibited.
Furthermore, vocalization is an important form of culture that is expressed every day. For humans, we are constantly talking to one another. Depending on where someone grew up people may speak several languages.
According to John Mitani research, he concluded that male chimpanzees pant-hoots differ in pitch depending on where they live. The subtle differences in pitch cause people to believe chimpanzees have dialects like humans.
The chimpanzees learn these dialects, so they can interact with others while having their own special call for their own group. Another way for Chimpanzees to communicate is drumming which is part of the males culture.
Culture can be interpreted in several ways but, humans and non-primates both share learned behavior through watching and practicing others within their family.Empathy and reciprocity are present in all primates. Socially, all primates fight with one another and just like humans, chimpanzees reconcile after they fight.
Non-human primates value their relationships with one another which is why they have learned to forgive one another such as in hugging. Family is an important aspect in shaping all primates as they grow up. Therefore, non-human primates have the same connection to protect their families.
One way empathy was tested was through Professor Frans de Waal yawn contagion simulation where he placed a chimpanzee in front of a computer screen. The computer screen presented an animation of people yawning, and the study found out that the chimpanzee also ended up yawning, concluding it had a sense of empathy.
If a chimpanzee sees one of their own hurt they are going to help them without expecting something in return. Moreover, human share the same characteristics proving empathy is in all primates.
Reciprocity is displayed by chimpanzees grooming each other. If a chimp grooms another then the action may be returned by earning more food. This type of action is like a favor which humans do as well.
When a person does something nice, they will remember and eventually return the favor back. Chimpanzees live together as a group to hunt, defend, and warn against predators. Therefore, reciprocity is essential in a group to help it to survive. Instead of them living in a solitary life they choose to stick together forming a sense of culture.
Human and non-human primates both express culture in similar and different ways. Communication is taught by watching and practicing the language. Primates experience culture in a variety of ways depending on where they grew up. No matter where one lives culture is expressed through learned behavior and socialization.
