Study: Animals Experience Emotions Like Humans

The research team was led by Dr. Marcela Benítez, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Emory University.

“As far as we know, this is the first assessment of how animal behavior researchers from various disciplines think about emotions and consciousness in non-human animals,” said Professor Benítez.

Quantifying Animal Emotions

The study shows that the majority of researchers attribute emotions to non-human primates (98%), mammals (89%), birds (78%), and even octopuses, squid (72%), and fish (53%).

Remarkably, feelings are even expressed towards invertebrates (71%) and insects (67%).

Anthropomorphism – the projection of human experiences onto animals – and anthropodenialism – the denial of any human characteristics in animals – were identified as dangers in animal behavior research.

Surprisingly, 89% of respondents considered anthropodenialism more problematic, compared to only 49% who viewed anthropomorphism as a risk. “This seems to be a significant shift,” said Professor Benítez.

History of Emotion Research in Animals

The question of whether animals experience emotions has occupied thinkers since Aristotle and Descartes.

Charles Darwin also addressed this topic, writing that “the lower animals, like man, manifestly feel pleasure and pain, happiness and misery.”

However, behaviorists of the mid-20th century rejected the study of animal emotions, as such feelings were considered scientifically unquantifiable.

The Study of Animal Cognition

The late primatologist Frans de Waal, emeritus professor of psychology at Emory College, revolutionized the study of animal cognitive abilities through his profound research.

“Frans de Waal has definitely helped open the door,” said Benítez, thanking him for giving new scientists the opportunity to question the inner lives of animals.

Matthew Zipple, a neurobiologist at the Laboratory for Animal Social Evolution and Recognition at Cornell University, is the lead author of the study. Mackenzie Webster, a postdoctoral researcher at the Emory Institute, and philosopher Caleb Hazelwood were also part of the team.

Professor Benítez, whose research focuses on cooperation and other social behaviors in capuchin monkeys, acknowledges the influence of de Waal's work on her career.

“A key component of cooperation is often the formation of emotional bonds with one another. So I cannot shy away from considering emotions in my research,” she says.

Survey on Emotions in Animals

To investigate how researchers perceive emotions in animals, Professor Benítez and her team developed a carefully designed survey that was distributed to graduate programs in animal behavior research across various disciplines.

Respondents came from a range of fields – behavioral ecologists, evolutionary biologists, neuroscientists, cognitive psychologists, biological psychologists, and others.

Challenges in Defining Emotions in Animals

Toward the end of the survey, respondents were asked to define “emotions.”

“I don't have a clear definition either,” said Benítez. “I see emotions as a kind of internal process that responds to external stimuli and influences how a situation is perceived. I start from the most basic definition, because it allows us to explore this capacity in non-human primates.”

Animal studies present particular challenges. A primary problem in laboratory experiments is replicating the animal's natural environment. In the wild, it is difficult to plan and control the experiment.

Innovative Solutions to Age-Old Challenges

Professor Benítez is pioneering a new approach to bridge this gap. She is co-director of the Capuchins de Taboga Costa Rica project, which studies both captive and wild capuchin monkeys.

Her team employs AI techniques, facial recognition software, and touchscreen computers on presentation platforms in the wild to better understand the behavior of capuchin monkeys.

Ethical Implications of Animal Studies

The study of animal consciousness and emotions extends beyond the realm of science and ethics, challenging the moral considerations and treatment of animals across various fields.

Researchers must navigate complex ethical terrain, striking a balance between scientific inquiry and the welfare and respectful treatment of the animals involved.

The recognition that animals may experience emotions similar to those of humans necessitates humane treatment protocols and raises questions about the ethical implications of using animals in research, entertainment, and agriculture.

As research in this field progresses, an ongoing dialogue remains essential regarding the responsibility of scientists to advocate for policies that protect animal rights while advancing scientific knowledge.

The Future of Emotion Research in Animals

The future of emotion research in animals promises even more advanced methods and interdisciplinary collaborations that will expand the boundaries of our understanding.

As AI and machine learning continue to develop, these technologies offer new possibilities for analysing and interpreting animal behavior on an unprecedented scale, enabling deeper insights into their emotional lives.

Furthermore, fostering collaboration between behavioral scientists, technologists, ethicists, and policymakers can help develop innovative approaches that are both scientifically sound and ethically responsible.

Embracing these future directions can advance the field towards a more holistic understanding of non-human animals, ultimately transforming the way society perceives and interacts with the animal world.

"We have only scratched the surface in exploring what animals are capable of," said Professor Benítez.

"Understanding the evolution of emotions is an essential part of understanding our own origins. In what ways are we a unique species? It is an exciting time, because new methods can help us better understand how an animal feels and how this relates to the decisions it makes."

The study was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science .

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