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science4h ago
Animals experience joy. Scientists want to measure it
- Researchers are developing a joy-o-meter to measure positive emotions in animals across apes, parrots, and dolphins.
- Bonobos and other primates are used to test how joy signals emerge after varied triggers like laughter or windfalls.
- Dolphins show joy through vocal cues like the 'victory squeal,' which may reflect dopamine release.
- Keas, alpine parrots, exhibited increased play when sunny, snowy weather coincided with joy-triggering tests.
- Parrots’ fecal hormone analyses are used to gauge happiness alongside observed behaviors.
- Dolphin researchers note a social function to vocal joy signals and plan windfall experiments.
- The project seeks universal joyful cues applicable to diverse species, from apes to parrots.
- Researchers stress that joy signals vary by individual, requiring multiple measures.
- Windfall tests reveal unexpected rewards can boost curiosity and approach in apes.
- The joy studies aim to improve welfare for captive animals by understanding happiness better.
- Experts caution joy research is in early stages and requires cross-species validation.
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