Influences of Affinity and Lengths of Separation on Greeting Behaviors in Captive Chimpanzees

Abstract

Influences of affinity and lengths of separation on greeting behaviors were examined in a group of captive chimpanzees. According to Nishida et al. (1999), the greeting behaviors were defined as affiliative interactions, such as embrace, kiss, inspect genitals, in this study. The most important factor which enhances the frequency of greeting behaviors among females was being separated, and the second one was high score of the proximity index while the influence of lengths of separation was not detected. These findings supported Nishida’s (1970) hypothesis that “the greeting behaviors of chimpanzees had the function of continuing social bond among group members who did not always range together”.