Humor emerged 13 million years ago

It is said that the conditions for humor evolved in the human lineage 13 million years ago. In an experiment, biologists from the Max Planck Institute in Konstanz were able to document mutual teasing in four species of great apes.

Universities in Los Angeles and San Diego in the US were also involved in the research. According to observations, teasing in great apes is similar to joking behavior in humans. It is provocative, persistent and characterized by surprising and playful elements, the researchers wrote in their study published on Wednesday.

The researchers analyzed spontaneous social interactions of orangutans, chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas that appeared playful, somewhat intimidating or provocative. They focused on the great apes’ actions, body movements and facial expressions, as well as the behavioral responses of the teased animals.

In their study, the researchers also assessed the intent of the teaser by looking for evidence that the behavior was directed at a specific animal. According to their information, the researchers found that all four great ape species exist showed consciously provocative behavior, often accompanied by playful elements used to be. They identified 18 different types of teasing behavior. Much of this behavior seemed designed to provoke a response or at least get the attention of the harassed animal.

American researcher Erica Cartmill said of the results: “It was common for the teasing monkey to repeatedly wave a body part or object in the teaser’s field of view, push or poke it, stare straight into the face (…) or do other things showed. behavior, which was extremely difficult for the teased person to ignore.” Playful teasing mainly took place when the monkeys were relaxed and showed similarities to teasing behavior in humans.

As the researchers said, joking requires social intelligence, the ability to anticipate future actions and the ability to recognize and appreciate violations of others’ expectations. Teasing has a lot in common with joking and is playful Teasing can be a cognitive precursor to joking are considered. In humans, joking begins at eight months – even before babies say their first words. (sda/apa/afp)