Page 275 - The Social Animal

Human Aggression 257

We can gain still greater insight into our own biological heritage
by observing the behavior of those animals with whom we share the
most genetic similarity. One of our closest relatives in the animal
kingdom is the chimpanzee, with whom we share 98 percent of our
DNA.The chimpanzee is extremely aggressive. Although chimps do
not engage in full scale-war like humans do, male chimps will hunt
9
and kill other chimps. From this we might conclude that humans,
especially males, are genetically programmed for aggressive behavior.
But there is another organism to consider—the bonobo, our
equally close genetic relative, which evolved from the same ancestor
as the chimpanzee.The bonobo has been described by primatologists
as more intelligent, more compassionate, more empathic, and more
peaceful than the chimp, its genetically similarly cousin. Whereas the
chimpanzee will engage in violent behavior with little provocation,
the bonobo is one of the least aggressive species of mammal on the
planet. In fact, bonobos have been called the “make love not war” ape,
because prior to engaging in activities that could otherwise lead to
conflict, bonobos have sex. This sexual activity functions to diffuse
potential conflict For example, when the group arrives at a feeding
ground, they first engage in communal sex, and then proceed to eat
peacefully. In contrast, when chimps arrive at a feeding ground they
fight over the food. Also, unlike the chimps, bonobos form into fe-
male-dominated societies and are known for their sensitivity to oth-
ers in their group. 10
The bonobo is a rare exception. Among primates, aggression is
nearly universal, which strongly suggests that aggressiveness has
evolved and has been maintained because it has survival value. At the
same time, evolutionary psychologists 11 underscore the point that
nearly all organisms have also evolved strong inhibitory mechanisms
that enable them to suppress aggression when it is in their best in-
terests to do so. Aggression is an optional strategy. It is determined
by the animal’s previous social experiences, as well as by the specific
social context in which the animal finds itself. The bonobos prove
that violence between animals is far from inevitible; it can be virtu-
ally eliminated within a culture.
Moreover, where humans are concerned, because of the com-
plexity of our social interactions, the social situation takes on even
greater importance than it does among our close relatives in the an-
imal kingdom. As Leonard Berkowitz has suggested, we humans
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