Fearful apes, happy apes: Is fearfulness associated with uniquely human cooperation?
Christopher RiddellMariska KretTonko ZijlstraMilica NikolicPublished in: The Behavioral and brain sciences (2023)
In the fearful ape hypothesis, Grossmann argues that heightened fearfulness increases human-unique cooperation. We suggest that this conclusion, however, may be premature. In particular, we question Grossmann's singling out of fear as the affective trait that enhances cooperative care. Additionally, we problematize the extent to which heightened fearfulness in humans, and its association with human-unique cooperation, are supported empirically.