The Ancient Art of Physical Reassurance A recent study on great apes has shed new light on an age old strategy for building trust and cooperation: physical reassurance.
Researchers at Durham University observed chimpanzees and bonobos engaging in behaviors such as touching, embracing, and kissing before stressful events like conflicts over food.
The study suggests that physical contact may be an evolutionary adaptation that predates language, challenging the notion that human language and culture are uniquely developed traits. Dr.