Full Breakdown
Orangutans Choose Food Associated with Laughter Sounds, Study Finds
By Drooid · · How we work
Study Overview
Researchers trained six captive orangutans at two zoological institutions to search bowls for hidden treats. Each trial presented two bowls: one covered with a material paired with a recording of orangutans laughing and playing, the other paired with neutral environmental sounds such as wind. After the sound playback, the apes chose a bowl. On the fifth testing day both bowls contained treats, allowing the researchers to measure preference for the “laughter-associated” substrate.
Findings and Interpretation
Across multiple trials, four of the six orangutans consistently selected the bowl linked to the laughter soundtrack, indicating a clear preference for the food when the preceding sound suggested peers were having fun. Senior author Erica Cartmill, a professor of anthropology and cognitive science at Indiana University, suggested the effect may stem from the laughter inducing a more positive emotional state that becomes associated with the food cue. Dr Adriano Lameira, a primatologist at the University of Warwick who was not involved in the work, described the result as “fascinating,” noting that the apes appeared to choose what others were enjoying.
Expert Commentary
Cartmill emphasized that the study expands understanding of how emotion interacts with learning. She argued that the animals’ internal state at the moment of association can influence how they later remember the reward.
> “Students might learn at similar rates if they are in a good mood or not, but our research suggests that they would value information more if they learn it when they are in a good mood,” — Erica Cartmill
Potential Applications
Cartmill extrapolated that the findings could inform human educational settings. If mood enhances the perceived value of information, educators might improve engagement by fostering positive emotional environments, potentially affecting subject preferences such as mathematics.
Data & Statistics
- Six orangutans participated.
- Four displayed a clear preference for the laughter-paired bowl.
- Trials involved repeated presentations of two bowl types, with the final day offering treats in both bowls to isolate preference.
The study, published in *Biology Letters*, adds to a growing body of research exploring animal emotions and their impact on cognition and decision-making.
