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We aren't especially fearful apes, and fearful apes aren't especially prosocial
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 May 2023
Abstract
Grossmann posits that heightened fearfulness in humans evolved to facilitate cooperative caregiving. We argue that three of his claims – that children express more fear than other apes, that they are uniquely responsive to fearful expressions, and that expression and perception of fear are linked with prosocial behaviors – are inconsistent with existing literature or require additional supporting evidence.
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- Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press
References
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Target article
The human fear paradox: Affective origins of cooperative care
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Author response
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