Convergent evidence from many species reveals the evolutionary origins of human
friendship. In horses, elephants, hyenas, dolphins, monkeys, and chimpanzees, some …

The aim of this review is to discuss recent arguments and findings in the comparative study
of empathy. Based on a multidisciplinary approach including psychology and ethology, we …

The ability to recognize other individuals' mental states—their knowledge and beliefs, for
example—is a fundamental part of human cognition and may be unique to our species …

Wild chimpanzees produce acoustically distinct scream vocalizations depending on their
social role during agonistic interactions with other group members. Here, we show that …

Highlights•Indirect connections are heritable and predictors of fitness in some
species.•Some animals recognize and may strategically manipulate third-party …

The concept of information plays a central role in studies of animal communication. Animals'
responses to the calls of different individuals, to food calls, alarm calls, and to signals that …

To understand the evolution of a Theory of Mind, we need to understand the selective factors
that might have jumpstarted its initial evolution. We argue that a subconscious, reflexive …

Vocalizations are a pervasive feature of nonhuman primate social life, yet we know
surprisingly little about their function. We review studies supporting the hypothesis that many …

Highlights•Social cognition in animals relies on a suite of increasingly complex skills.•These
skills are targets of selection.•They reflect the selective pressures acting on individuals in …

Background Bystander affiliation (post-conflict affiliation from an uninvolved bystander to the
conflict victim) may represent an expression of empathy in which the bystander consoles the …