Orangutans prefer food associated with sounds of laughter, study suggests
Apes in study more likely to choose treats linked to sound of peers having fun, suggesting emotions influence learning
TL;DR
- Scientists found that captive orangutans valued food treats more highly when they heard the sound of their peers laughing beforehand.
- The study aimed to understand if animals feel joy and how emotions impact cognition and learning.
- Orangutans were presented with two bowls, one containing a treat, and just before, a recording was played – either orangutan laughter or environmental sounds.
- Four out of six orangutans showed a preference for the substance associated with the sound of laughter.
- Researchers suggest this preference may stem from laughter putting the orangutans in a more positive emotional state during learning.
- The findings indicate that the emotional state during learning, not just the reward's quantity or frequency, influences memory and preferences.
- Potential applications for humans include educational environments, where mood could influence how much students value information.