Frans de Waal

Primatologist

Why you should listen

Dutch-American biologist and ethologist Frans de Waal studied primate social behavior and drew parallels to human behavior, from peacemaking and morality to culture. His first book, Chimpanzee Politics, compared the schmoozing and scheming of chimpanzees in power struggles with that of human politicians. Named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People Today, de Waal wrote hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, and his popular books have been translated into over 20 languages. He was a professor in Emory University's psychology department and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta. His books include Mama's Last Hug, about animal and human emotions.

Frans de Waal’s TED Talks

Frans de Waal
Moral behavior in animals
16 minutes 33 seconds
What happens when two monkeys are paid unequally? Fairness, reciprocity, empathy, cooperation -- caring about the well-being of others seems like a very human trait. But Frans de Waal shares some surprising videos of behavioral tests, on primates and other mammals, that show how many of these moral traits all of us share.
Posted Apr 2012
Frans de Waal
The surprising science of alpha males
15 minutes 45 seconds
In this fascinating look at the "alpha male," primatologist Frans de Waal explores the privileges and costs of power while drawing surprising parallels between how humans and primates choose their leaders. His research reveals some of the unexpected capacities of alpha males -- generosity, empathy, even peacekeeping -- and sheds light on the power struggles of human politicians. "Someone who is big and strong and intimidates and insults everyone is not necessarily an alpha male," de Waal says.
Posted Jun 2018