--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Contrary to general belief, humans…" description: "\"Contrary to general belief, humans imitate apes more than the reverse. The sight of monkeys or apes induces an irresistible urge in people to jump up a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c28/frans-de-waal-2997_animal_contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitat_1739259.png" --- # Contrary to general belief, humans imitate apes more than… ![“Contrary to general belief, humans imitate apes more than the reverse. The sight of monkeys or apes induces an irresistible urge in people to jump up and down, exaggeratedly scratch themselves and holler in a way that must make the primates wonder how this otherwise so intelligent species has come…” quote by Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c28/frans-de-waal-2997_animal_contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitat_1739259.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c28/frans-de-waal-2997_animal_contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitat_1739259.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c28/frans-de-waal-2997_animal_contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitat_1739259.png) > “Contrary to general belief, humans imitate apes more than the reverse. The sight of monkeys or apes induces an irresistible urge in people to jump up and down, exaggeratedly scratch themselves and holler in a way that must make the primates wonder how this otherwise so intelligent species has come to depend on such inferior means of communication.” [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans often mimic apes' expressive behaviors, revealing primitive communication instincts. **In simple terms:** People copy ape-like antics, showing basic communication roots. Key Takeaway Recognize our primal communication patterns. Themes behavior communication evolution Mood analytical playful Type scientific observational When to use this quote - classroom teaching - team building - public speaking - media commentary Key Concepts mirror neurons social learning Questions to Reflect On - Why do we resort to primitive gestures in modern settings? - How does this affect our communication effectiveness? A Different Perspective Mimicry can be superficial and hinder deeper understanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Apes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apes/) [Apes Induces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apes-induces-1504686/) [Apes Reverse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apes-reverse-1504688/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Contrary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrary/) [Depends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depends/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Imitate Apes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imitate-apes-1504685/) [Inferiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inferiors/) [Intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligent/) [Irresistible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irresistible/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Means of communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-of-communication/) [Monkeys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monkeys/) [Monkeys Apes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monkeys-apes-1504687/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Primates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/primates/) [Reverse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reverse/) [Scratches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scratches/) [Sight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sight/) [Species](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/species/) [Up and down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up-and-down/) [Urges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/urges/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [Contrary to general belief, humans imitate apes more than the reverse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitate-apes-more-than-the-reverse/) [Frans De Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/if-man-evolved-from-monkeys-and-apes-why-do-we-still-have-monkeys-and/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [There are one hundred and ninety-three living species of monkeys and apes. One hundred and ninety-two of them are covered with hair. The exception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/there-are-one-hundred-and-ninety-three-living-species-of-monkeys-and/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [We are by far the most contradictory of all primates. An animal with this much internal conflict has never lived on this earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/we-are-by-far-the-most-contradictory-of-all-primates-an-animal-with/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [Bonobo studies started in the '70s and came to fruition in the '80s. Then in the '90s, all of a sudden, boom, they ended…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/bonobo-studies-started-in-the-70s-and-came-to-fruition-in-the-80s/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [When we are bad, we are worse than any primate that I know. And when we are good, we are actually better and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/when-we-are-bad-we-are-worse-than-any-primate-that-i-know-and-when-we/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [The evolutionary struggle for survival is really a self-serving series of blows and stabs, and yet it can lead to extremely social animals like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/the-evolutionary-struggle-for-survival-is-really-a-self-serving/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [To neglect the common ground with other primates, and to deny the evolutionary roots of human morality, would be like arriving at the top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/to-neglect-the-common-ground-with-other-primates-and-to-deny-the/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [Studies of reconciliation in primates have demonstrated that if the relationship value increases between two parties they are more willing to make peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/studies-of-reconciliation-in-primates-have-demonstrated-that-if-the/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [In humans, the family prevents infanticide. Next to language, the core family, consisting of a mother, a father and children, is the greatest difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/in-humans-the-family-prevents-infanticide-next-to-language-the-core/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [I have often noticed how primate groups in their entirety enter a similar mood. All of a sudden, all of them are playful, hopping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/i-have-often-noticed-how-primate-groups-in-their-entirety-enter-a/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [The primate laugh is given in playful contexts, and as such has a strong similarity to the human laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/the-primate-laugh-is-given-in-playful-contexts-and-as-such-has-a/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [There's actually a lot of evidence in primates and other animals that they return favors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/there-s-actually-a-lot-of-evidence-in-primates-and-other-animals-that/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [Unlike the primate hand, the elephant's grasping organ is also its nose. Elephants use their trunks not only to reach food but also to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/unlike-the-primate-hand-the-elephant-s-grasping-organ-is-also-its/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [The burgeoisie, by the rapid improvement of all instruments of production, by the immensely facilitated means of communication, draws all nations into civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/the-burgeoisie-by-the-rapid-improvement-of-all-instruments-of/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) ## More by Frans de Waal > [Dogmatists have one advantage: they are poor listeners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/dogmatists-have-one-advantage-they-are-poor-listeners/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [If both parties have a stake in the other, the chances of them killing each other are going to be reduced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/if-both-parties-have-a-stake-in-the-other-the-chances-of-them-killing/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [I sometimes try to imagine what would have happened if we’d known the bonobo first and the chimpanzee only later—or not at all. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/i-sometimes-try-to-imagine-what-would-have-happened-if-we-d-known-the/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [Unlike the primate hand, the elephant's grasping organ is also its nose. Elephants use their trunks not only to reach food but also to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/unlike-the-primate-hand-the-elephant-s-grasping-organ-is-also-its/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [Science is not inherently good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/science-is-not-inherently-good/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [The possibility that empathy resides in parts of the brain so ancient that we share them with rats should give pause to anyone comparing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/the-possibility-that-empathy-resides-in-parts-of-the-brain-so-ancient/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [“on August 16, 1996, when an eight-year-old female gorilla named Binti Jua helped a three-year-old boy who had fallen eighteen feet into the primate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/on-august-16-1996-when-an-eight-year-old-female-gorilla-named-binti/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [We start out postulating sharp boundaries, such as between humans and apes, or between apes and monkeys, but are in fact dealing with sand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/we-start-out-postulating-sharp-boundaries-such-as-between-humans-and/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [Perhaps it's just me, but I am wary of any persons whose belief system is the only thing standing between them and repulsive behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/perhaps-it-s-just-me-but-i-am-wary-of-any-persons-whose-belief-system/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [Personally, I think it is possible to build a society that is moral on a nonreligious basis, but the jury is still out on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/personally-i-think-it-is-possible-to-build-a-society-that-is-moral-on/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [“humans are a strange lot. We have the power to analyze and explore the world around us, yet panic as soon as the evidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/humans-are-a-strange-lot-we-have-the-power-to-analyze-and-explore-the/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [Armies are a purely human invention. Most soldiers who go to war nowadays don't even do it because they're inherently aggressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/armies-are-a-purely-human-invention-most-soldiers-who-go-to-war/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [There's actually a lot of evidence in primates and other animals that they return favors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/there-s-actually-a-lot-of-evidence-in-primates-and-other-animals-that/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [“In a world divided by chimpophiles and bonobophiles, we all had a good laugh when Stephen peeled his banana. (62)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/in-a-world-divided-by-chimpophiles-and-bonobophiles-we-all-had-a-good/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [In Africa, we have the bush meat trade, which means that, on a very large scale, animals are being killed in the forests and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/in-africa-we-have-the-bush-meat-trade-which-means-that-on-a-very/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) [Explore all 143 Frans de Waal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Contrary to general belief, humans imitate apes more than the reverse. The sight of monkeys or apes induces an irresistible urge in people to jump up and down, exaggeratedly scratch themselves and holler in a way that must make the primates wonder how this otherwise so intelligent species has come to depend on such inferior means of communication.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frans de Waal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitate-apes-more-than-the-reverse-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Animal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitate-apes-more-than-the-reverse-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c28/frans-de-waal-2997_animal_contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitat_1739259.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c28/frans-de-waal-2997_animal_contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitat_1739259.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c28/frans-de-waal-2997_animal_contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitat_1739259.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Contrary to general belief, humans imitate apes more than the reverse. The sight of monkeys or apes induces…” — Frans de Waal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Frans de Waal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Contrary to general belief, humans imitate...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitate-apes-more-than-the-reverse-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/contrary-to-general-belief-humans-imitate-apes-more-than-the-reverse-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```