Can our great ape cousins suffer a midlife crisis like we can?
It might sound a silly question, but new research indicates they can.
Analysis of the well-being and happiness of chimpanzees and orangutans
from around the world demonstrated a clear U-shaped curve in these areas
- high in youth before falling in middle age, and then rising in old
age. When humans are assessed on their happiness thro
ughout their lifetime, the same U-shape curve emerges.
In a study that brought together psychologists, primatologists and
economists, 508 chimpanzees and orangutans were assessed on their
happiness and well-being. To reduce the risk of misinterpretations,
assessments were carried out by zoo keepers and researchers who had
known each primate for at least two years. Each ape was numerically
scored on happiness and well-being with a short questionnaire, modified
to fit non-human primates. Though subjective ratings do present an
issue, psychologist Alexander Weiss (University of Edinburgh, UK, and
lead author) believes the large sample size and consistency in reported
trends are an good indicator of the study's reliability and validity.
Human midlife crises are often blamed on factors such as mortgage
problems or a disappointing career, but if these results are accurate
they present a serious challenge to that idea. Weiss thinks the key to
understanding midlife crises may lie partly in our primate biology and
physiology (for instance, in age-related hormone levels). But he also
points out chimps, orangutans and humans share similar social pressures
and stresses - access to mates and resources.
It's certainly
possible evolution favoured those who had midlife crises. Individuals
who were happier at the times of their lives when they were most at risk
(youth and old age) might have been less likely to venture into risky
situations. Equally, for middle-aged individuals unhappiness may have
been a catalyst for change, such as seeking out more mates or higher
status.
Photo credit: Tim Davis/Corbis
If you wish to read the paper, it is available here: http://bit.ly/TciDh1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/
http://www.nature.com/news/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://
Can our great ape cousins suffer a midlife crisis like we can?
It might sound a silly question, but new research indicates they can. Analysis of the well-being and happiness of chimpanzees and orangutans from around the world demonstrated a clear U-shaped curve in these areas - high in youth before falling in middle age, and then rising in old age. When humans are assessed on their happiness thro
It might sound a silly question, but new research indicates they can. Analysis of the well-being and happiness of chimpanzees and orangutans from around the world demonstrated a clear U-shaped curve in these areas - high in youth before falling in middle age, and then rising in old age. When humans are assessed on their happiness thro
ughout their lifetime, the same U-shape curve emerges.
In a study that brought together psychologists, primatologists and economists, 508 chimpanzees and orangutans were assessed on their happiness and well-being. To reduce the risk of misinterpretations, assessments were carried out by zoo keepers and researchers who had known each primate for at least two years. Each ape was numerically scored on happiness and well-being with a short questionnaire, modified to fit non-human primates. Though subjective ratings do present an issue, psychologist Alexander Weiss (University of Edinburgh, UK, and lead author) believes the large sample size and consistency in reported trends are an good indicator of the study's reliability and validity.
Human midlife crises are often blamed on factors such as mortgage problems or a disappointing career, but if these results are accurate they present a serious challenge to that idea. Weiss thinks the key to understanding midlife crises may lie partly in our primate biology and physiology (for instance, in age-related hormone levels). But he also points out chimps, orangutans and humans share similar social pressures and stresses - access to mates and resources.
It's certainly possible evolution favoured those who had midlife crises. Individuals who were happier at the times of their lives when they were most at risk (youth and old age) might have been less likely to venture into risky situations. Equally, for middle-aged individuals unhappiness may have been a catalyst for change, such as seeking out more mates or higher status.
Photo credit: Tim Davis/Corbis
If you wish to read the paper, it is available here: http://bit.ly/TciDh1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/
http://www.nature.com/news/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://
In a study that brought together psychologists, primatologists and economists, 508 chimpanzees and orangutans were assessed on their happiness and well-being. To reduce the risk of misinterpretations, assessments were carried out by zoo keepers and researchers who had known each primate for at least two years. Each ape was numerically scored on happiness and well-being with a short questionnaire, modified to fit non-human primates. Though subjective ratings do present an issue, psychologist Alexander Weiss (University of Edinburgh, UK, and lead author) believes the large sample size and consistency in reported trends are an good indicator of the study's reliability and validity.
Human midlife crises are often blamed on factors such as mortgage problems or a disappointing career, but if these results are accurate they present a serious challenge to that idea. Weiss thinks the key to understanding midlife crises may lie partly in our primate biology and physiology (for instance, in age-related hormone levels). But he also points out chimps, orangutans and humans share similar social pressures and stresses - access to mates and resources.
It's certainly possible evolution favoured those who had midlife crises. Individuals who were happier at the times of their lives when they were most at risk (youth and old age) might have been less likely to venture into risky situations. Equally, for middle-aged individuals unhappiness may have been a catalyst for change, such as seeking out more mates or higher status.
Photo credit: Tim Davis/Corbis
If you wish to read the paper, it is available here: http://bit.ly/TciDh1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/
http://www.nature.com/news/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://
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