WRFA-LP 107.9 FM

A listener supported, non-commercial, low power FM radio station in Jamestown, NY.


Stream WRFA

  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • WRFA Election Coverage 2024
    • Local Arts and Entertainment
    • Station News and Events
    • Audio Posts
    • Video
  • Listen
  • Programming Guide
    • Interactive Schedule
    • I Remember
    • YWCA Jamestown Broadscast
    • Arts on Fire LIVE
  • Local Shows
    • Alex’s Variety Hour
    • Arts on Fire
    • Arts on Fire LIVE
    • Chautauqua Lectures
    • Chautauqua Sunrise with Doc Hamels
    • Community Matters
    • Da Platform
    • Da Unwind
    • Diamond Run Radio
    • The Latin Inspiration
    • Local Rush Hour
    • Power Chord Hour
    • Remembering Rock n Roll
    • Small Things Considered
    • Stormin Norman’s Prime Time Sports Show
    • The Swedish Hour
    • Third Street Garage
    • YWCA Jamestown Broadscast
  • Audio Vault
  • About
    • Join the WRFA Team
    • E-Newsletter Sign Up
  • Donate
    • WRFA Supporters
  • Contact
You are here: Home / News / Local News / Frans de Waal Discusses Close Connection Between Humans, Primates at Chautauqua Institution

Frans de Waal Discusses Close Connection Between Humans, Primates at Chautauqua Institution

August 4, 2021 By WRFA Radio Leave a Comment

CHAUTAUQUA, NY – An internationally known scientist and author was at Chautauqua Institution Tuesday to discuss the close connection in behavior and emotions that humans share with their primate cousins and other members of the animal kingdom.

Frans de Waal is a Dutch/American biologist and primatologist known for his work on the behavior and social intelligence of primates. His latest research concerns empathy and cooperation, inequity aversion, and social cognition in chimpanzees, bonobos and other primate species.

He explained that it is only during the past 50 years or so that biologists have learned animals share similar emotions to humans, including empathy and even altruism – which is the selfless concern for the well-being of others.

“Some large-brained animals, they have an understanding of the specific needs of others and are willing to provide help with these circumstances.” de Waal explained. “There is a lot of research now on the altruism of animals, which most of it is probably empathy based, helping behavior. So it is quite common, I would say, the impact and capacity of some of these species are very highly developed.”

De Waal’s research has found that both people and animals share similar behavior – such as helping or comforting others – and that is motivated by similar emotions. He said this is a relatively new way of seeing animals, compared to previously held theories that humans had different and more complicated emotions.

“We have been trained in biology that for animals we should have different expectations, we use a different language, we should not be anthropomorphic, we use a different language, we use different explanations because humans are very special. And I see our reactions are very similar to this, so we need to come up with a shared explanation for the two,” he said.

De Waal appeared at the Chautauqua Ampitheatre on Tuesday morning as part of the week six theme, “Building a Culture of Empathy.” The week continues today with a lecture by Jackie Acho, who will discuss how empathy can help create better leadership.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Chautauqua Institution, Frans de Waal

Donate to WRFA and help support Community Radio in Jamestown, NY.

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Licensed by Reg Lenna Center for the Arts

Donate

On Air Now

  • Celt in a Twist
Stream WRFA

Corporate Support

Donate to WRFA
Donate to WRFA

Recent News

  • [LISTEN] Arts on Fire – Mr. Green – July 18, 2025
  • [LISTEN] Community Matters – Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy – July 17, 2025
  • Planning Commission Hears Proposal To Turn 16 Scott Street Into Townhomes
WRFA LP 107.9 FM is licensed by the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown, NY.

Copyright © 2025 WRFALP.com 107.9 FM

 

Loading Comments...