Animals Feel Joy: Scientists Measure Happiness in Animals
- Bonobos, a great ape species, demonstrate a tendency toward optimistic behavior following exposure to human laughter, according to research published in June 2025.
- Researchers found that bonobos exhibit increased optimistic behavior after hearing recordings of human laughter.
- The study involved presenting bonobos with a choice between two food-delivery devices: one that had previously reliably delivered food and one that had not.
Bonobos Exhibit Optimism After Hearing Laughter
Bonobos, a great ape species, demonstrate a tendency toward optimistic behavior following exposure to human laughter, according to research published in June 2025.
How Laughter Impacts Bonobo Behavior
Researchers found that bonobos exhibit increased optimistic behavior after hearing recordings of human laughter. This suggests a potential shared evolutionary root for positive emotional contagion between humans and bonobos. The study, published in Scientific Reports, indicates that bonobos interpret laughter as a positive signal, influencing their subsequent choices in a problem-solving task.
The study involved presenting bonobos with a choice between two food-delivery devices: one that had previously reliably delivered food and one that had not. After hearing laughter, the bonobos were more likely to choose the previously unreliable device, indicating an increased expectation of a positive outcome.
“Our results suggest that bonobos, like humans, are sensitive to the emotional cues conveyed through laughter and that this sensitivity can influence their cognitive biases,” stated S.L. Winkler, lead author of the study, in the June 26, 2025, publication.
The Evolutionary Significance of Joy
The research builds on a growing body of work exploring the evolution and function of joy in non-human animals. Scientists are increasingly recognizing that positive emotions aren’t unique to humans, and understanding their presence and impact in other species can provide insights into the origins of human emotional experience.
A 2023 review in Biological Reviews by X.J. Nelson and colleagues highlighted various approaches to investigating joy in animals, including behavioral observations, physiological measurements, and neuroimaging studies. The authors argue that joy likely plays a crucial role in social bonding, cooperation, and overall well-being across many species.
This research, published on April 20, 2023, (PMID: 37127535) emphasizes the importance of considering the evolutionary history of emotions when studying animal behavior.