Cross-Species Empathy: Study Reveals Humans Spontaneously Mimic the Facial Expressions of Monkeys and Apes

New research in PLOS One shows that humans recognize and spontaneously mimic the facial expressions of monkeys and apes, highlighting a deep-rooted cross-species connection.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 7:13 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PLOS One

Breaking the Anthropocentric Barrier

The ability to mimic the emotions of others has long been considered a foundational pillar of human empathy and social bonding. While previous research has shown that young primates can mimic human gestures, it has remained unclear whether the reverse is true. New research led by Ursula Hess of Humboldt University of Berlin, published on March 11, 2026, suggests that the human "mirroring" system is not limited to our own species. The study indicates that humans resonate with the emotional states of non-human animals, challenging traditional views that emphasize a sharp emotional divide between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom.

Recognizing the Discrete Emotions of Primates

The study involved 212 participants who viewed short videos of various monkeys and apes. The primates displayed three distinct types of expressions: a "play face" (positive), a "threat display" (negative), and a neutral expression. Participants were asked to label the expressions using categories such as happiness, anger, fear, or sadness. The results showed that humans are remarkably adept at attaching correct discrete emotion labels to primate displays. Beyond mere recognition, participants rated their perceived liking and psychological closeness to each animal, finding that positive expressions significantly increased feelings of affinity toward the primates.

Measuring Spontaneous Facial Mimicry

To capture the participants' physical reactions, the researchers utilized webcams and an open-source tool designed to track facial activity in real-time. Even though the videos were only five to seven seconds long, the participants demonstrated spontaneous emotional mimicry. When a primate displayed a positive "play face," participants were more likely to mirror the expression with their own facial muscles. This mimicry was not universal; it was most pronounced when the participant reported a higher sense of closeness or liking toward the specific primate. This suggests that mimicry is not just a mechanical reflex but a social-emotional response tied to perceived connection.