Understanding emotions in the animal world has always been a topic of great interest, both among scientists and animal lovers. A particularly intriguing question concerns the possibility that animals experience jealousy, an emotion often associated with complex social relationships. A new study from the University of California, Berkeley, opens up new perspectives in this field, while simultaneously challenging previous beliefs.

Is jealousy a universal emotion?

Jealousy, defined as an emotional response to a real or perceived threat to social bonds or resources, has long been considered an exclusively human phenomenon. However, scientists have attempted over the years to identify similar patterns of behavior in animals. For example, capuchin monkeys and dogs often display reactions that resemble human jealousy, such as aggressive behavior or withdrawal from interactions when they witness unequal treatment.

Analysis of animal behavior

One of the most famous studies in this field involved capuchin monkeys who participated in experiments related to fairness. The monkeys, in fact, reacted strongly when one of them received a reward in the form of grapes, while the other received a less attractive reward, such as a slice of cucumber. These findings led scientists to conclude that animals may be able to recognize unfairness and react to it in a way that can be interpreted as jealousy.

A new approach to studying emotions

A recent study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, revisited these conclusions by analyzing data from 23 previous studies that involved more than 60,000 observations of 18 different animal species. The scientists used a new analysis method to gain a deeper understanding of the concept of fairness in the animal world.

The lead researcher, Oded Ritov, pointed out that the results do not provide sufficient evidence that animals truly experience jealousy. Instead, their behavior may be explained by disappointment due to unmet expectations. In one experiment, for example, the monkeys showed dissatisfaction even when they saw grapes in an empty cage, without the presence of another animal that could provoke jealousy.

Is it all a matter of expectations?

The key conclusion of this research is that animals likely do not react to unfairness in the same way that humans do. Instead, their reaction may be a form of social protest due to perceived mistreatment by humans. This interpretation raises new questions about how similar animal emotional reactions are to human ones and how much they are conditioned by specific circumstances.

The history of studying jealousy in animals

The study of jealousy in animals is not a new topic. For decades, researchers have been trying to understand the emotional lives of different species, from dogs and cats to birds and primates. However, contemporary research increasingly emphasizes the need for caution when interpreting results. Many studies face challenges of reproducibility, meaning their results cannot often be confirmed in repeated experiments.

What does this tell us about humans?

Humans' tendency toward fairness and a sense of inequality may be evolutionary mechanisms that allowed the development of complex societies. Resource division, cooperation, and a sense of morality are crucial for our survival as a species. Although animals may exhibit similar reactions, their emotional world remains qualitatively different from that of humans.

Conclusions for future research

This new knowledge encourages further discussion about the boundaries of human and animal emotionality. While animals may exhibit behaviors that resemble human emotions, the question remains open as to how comparable these experiences are. Scientists hope that future research will provide even more precise insights into this fascinating topic.

Source: University of California