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Research on great apes reveals that chimpanzees and bonobos develop friendship structures similar to humans, featuring both close inner circles and broader networks of acquaintances. Through analysis of grooming behavior, scientists found that chimpanzees tend to concentrate their social efforts on a select group of trusted individuals and become increasingly selective as they age. In contrast, bonobos display more egalitarian social patterns while still maintaining layered friendship networks.
Why it matters
This research provides evolutionary insight into the origins of human social behavior and friendship formation. Understanding how our closest living relatives structure their social relationships may help explain fundamental aspects of human psychology and social organization.
Understand the Science
Great apes appear to build friendships much like humans do. By studying grooming behavior, researchers discovered that chimpanzees and bonobos form close inner circles along with wider networks of weaker social connections. Chimpanzees focus on a few trusted partners and become more selective with age, while bonobos maintain a more egalitarian social style.
Source: Chimpanzees and bonobos have human-like friend circles, study finds