Chimps and Teamwork: Scientists Find Origins of Teamwork in Our Nearest Relative, the Chimpanzee

Mar. 19, 2013 — Teamwork has been fundamental in humanity's greatest achievements but scientists at the University of Warwick have found that working together has its evolutionary roots in our nearest primate relatives -- chimpanzees.

A series of trials by scientists at Warwick Business School found that chimpanzees not only coordinate actions with each other but also understand the need to help a partner perform their role to achieve a common goal.

Pairs of chimpanzees were given tools to get grapes out of a box. They had to work together with a tool each to get the food out. Scientists found that the chimpanzees would solve the problem together, even swapping tools, to pull the food out.

The study, published in Biology Letters, by scientists from Warwick Business School, UK, and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, sought to find out if there were any evolutionary roots to humans' ability to cooperate and coordinate actions.

Dr Alicia Melis, Assistant Professor of Behavioural Science at Warwick Business School, said: "We want to find out where humans' ability to cooperate and work together has come from and whether it is unique to us.

Continued:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130318203327.htm