Long-Tailed Macaques Reveal Insights into Human Attraction to Conflict

In a groundbreaking study led by Elisabeth H.M. Sterck, Professor of Animal Behaviour and Cognition at Utrecht University, researchers have uncovered striking similarities between the viewing habits of long-tailed macaques and humans regarding social conflict. The study, published in the journal Animal Cognition on July 9, 2025, highlights how both species are drawn to aggressive interactions, particularly when the individuals involved are familiar to them.

The research involved 28 long-tailed macaques residing at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in Rijswijk, Netherlands. The macaques were shown two-minute videos that showcased various activities of monkeys, including conflict, grooming, running, and sitting. Notably, the findings indicated that the macaques were most captivated by scenes of conflict, paralleling human tendencies to gravitate towards dramatic content. "Humans and macaques are both social animals who have a fundamental need to belong," stated Brad Bushman, co-author and Professor of Communication at The Ohio State University. "It's not surprising that they both would be most interested in the video content that may help them navigate relationships in their groups."

The study's outcomes revealed that not only do macaques prefer watching conflict, but they also pay more attention to videos featuring their own group members compared to those of strangers. This behavior suggests that gathering social information about familiar individuals is crucial for these primates. As Professor Sterck noted, "This indicates that gathering social information on group members is more important than getting information about strangers."

Interestingly, the study also shed light on the influence of social rank and temperament on viewing habits. Lower-ranking macaques, who are potentially more susceptible to aggression, were found to watch the videos more intently than their dominant counterparts. This observation aligns with the theory that those who are at a higher risk of becoming victims of aggression are more vigilant about their surroundings. "More dominant individuals can be more confident that aggression will not affect them," Sterck explained. Conversely, high-strung macaques exhibited reduced attention to group members, highlighting the impact of personality on social information processing.

The implications of this research extend beyond the realm of animal behavior. By demonstrating that both macaques and humans share a common attraction to conflict and aggression in media, the study offers insights into the evolutionary underpinnings of media consumption patterns. "Even this brief exposure to aggressive media captured the attention of macaques in the study," Bushman concluded. This suggests that the allure of violent media may be deeply rooted in the survival instincts of primate species.

The findings of this study contribute to a broader understanding of primate behavior and media engagement, reinforcing the notion that the fascination with conflict is not merely a human phenomenon but a shared trait among social animals. Future research may explore the nuances of these behaviors across different primate species, further elucidating the evolutionary significance of social interactions and media consumption in various contexts.