Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 6 hrs ago
Orangutans favored food linked to recordings of laughter
Researchers tested six captive orangutans at two zoological institutions to see whether emotion affects how animals learn about food.
Before the apes chose between bowls, the team played either recordings of orangutans playing and laughing or environmental sounds such as wind.
Four of the six showed a clear preference for a bowl containing food covered with material linked to laughter, and the apes preferred that material overall.
The researchers suggest that hearing others laugh may have put the orangutans in a more positive emotional state as they learned which material was linked to food.
The findings suggest feelings can shape learning, alongside factors such as how much or how often an animal receives a reward.
The researchers say this could help explain why mood might affect how much students value information or which subjects they choose to pursue, but the study tested orangutans, not students.
A study suggests orangutans were more likely to choose food-covering material linked to recordings of other orangutans playing and laughing.
Researchers tested six captive orangutans at two zoological institutions.
Across multiple trials, four of the six showed a clear preference for the material associated with laughter.
The researchers say the animals’ emotional state while learning an association may influence how they value it later.
The findings, published in Biology Letters, may help researchers understand how emotion affects learning in animals and humans.
- Who
- Six captive orangutans took part in the study. The research was led by Erica Cartmill and colleagues.
- What
- Researchers found that the orangutans generally preferred food-covering material associated with recordings of laughter.
- When
- The study was reported on 21 October 2026.
- Where
- The orangutans were based at two zoological institutions.
- Why
- Researchers investigated whether emotional states influence how animals learn and value associations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers trained the orangutans to search bowls for food treats.
Researchers played recordings of orangutans playing and laughing or environmental sounds before presenting bowls.
Each bowl contained a treat beneath one of the two food-covering substances, and the orangutans chose a bowl.
The Guardian reported the findings from the study published in Biology Letters.
- Participants
- Six orangutans
- Institutions
- Two zoological institutions
- Preference
- Four of six orangutans showed a clear preference for the material linked to laughter
- Journal
- Biology Letters
- Lead author
- Erica Cartmill, Indiana University
What people are saying
One of our big motivations … is building on human research that shows that emotion has important effects on rational thought – and that they aren’t two separate things; they really influence one another
What our work is showing is that it’s also about the state of the animal when they are learning that association
Effectively, hearing others clearly having a good time, orangutans placed their food order: ‘I will have what they are having, please!’