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Why Humans Prefer Phylogenetically Closer Species: An Evolutionary, Neurocognitive, and Cultural Synthesis
1Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Sassuolo Hospital, 41049 Sassuolo, Italy.
Biology
|October 29, 2025
Summary
Human empathy for animals varies by species, favoring mammals due to recognizable signals and social cognition. Expanding this empathy is crucial for conservation and One Health.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Comparative cognition
- Neuroscience
- Cultural anthropology
Background:
- Human attachments to animals are unevenly distributed across species.
- Empathy is generally stronger for phylogenetically closer species, especially mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the evolutionary and cognitive factors influencing human empathy towards different animal taxa.
- To explore how signal recognizability, social cognition, and neuroendocrine systems shape human-animal affective bonds.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review synthesizing evidence from multiple scientific disciplines.
- Examination of factors like signal recognizability, predictive social cognition, and neuroendocrine systems.
- Analysis of ontogenetic learning, media influence, and innate responses like fear and disgust.
Main Results:
- Mammals elicit stronger empathy due to recognizable signals (faces, gaze) and advanced social cognition.
- Conserved neuroendocrine systems, like oxytocin, enhance affiliative bonds, especially in domesticated pairs.
- Perceived agency, sociality, and communication in species like cephalopods, cetaceans, and parrots can override phylogenetic distance.
Conclusions:
- Calibrated anthropomorphism, education, and targeted messaging can broaden concern for under-represented species.
- Recognizing evolved predispositions and cultural plasticity is key for effective science communication and policy.
- Expanding empathy is vital for animal welfare, conservation, and One Health initiatives.
Keywords:
affective preferenceanimal welfareconservation psychologydomesticationempathyoxytocinphylogenypredictive processingMore Related Videos
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