Abstract
Consolation has been observed in several species, including marmoset monkeys, but it is often unclear to what extent they are empathy-based. Marmosets perform well in at least two of three components of empathy-based consolation, namely understanding others and prosociality, but it is unknown to what extent they show matching with others. We, therefore, tested whether non-aroused individuals would become aroused themselves when encountering an aroused group member (indicated by piloerection of the tail). We found a robust contagion effect: group members were more likely to show piloerection themselves after having encountered an aroused versus relaxed conspecific. Moreover, group members offered consolation behaviours (affiliative approaches) towards the aroused fellow group members rather than the latter requesting it. Importantly, this pattern was shown by both aroused and non-aroused individuals, which suggests that they did not do this to reduce their own arousal but rather to console the individual in distress. We conclude that marmosets have all three components of empathy-based consolation. These results are in line with observations in another cooperative breeder, the prairie vole.
Highlights
IntroductionSeveral social species have been reported to engage in post-conflict affiliation, such as grooming and contact sitting, between former opponents (i.e. reconciliation behaviour) or between a former victim and non-involved bystanders (i.e. consolation behaviour [1])
After aggressive conflicts, several social species have been reported to engage in post-conflict affiliation, such as grooming and contact sitting, between former opponents or between a former victim and non-involved bystanders
Our goal was to study how common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) respond to others’ arousal, to assess whether they engage in consolation behaviour, and how it may be motivated
Summary
Several social species have been reported to engage in post-conflict affiliation, such as grooming and contact sitting, between former opponents (i.e. reconciliation behaviour) or between a former victim and non-involved bystanders (i.e. consolation behaviour [1]). Bystander affiliation toward former victims has for instance been shown in chimpanzees [1], bonobos [2] and Tonkean macaques [3], but not in Japanese macaques [4], baboons [5] or lemurs [6] (for a thorough review see [7]). Non-primates, it has been proposed in canids [8], corvids [9,10] and elephants [11], pointing towards a 2 broad phylogenetic distribution of consolation behaviour among big-brained social species. This is consistent with the idea that it is cognitively demanding
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
