Do you think it is possible to better understand human nature by studying animals?

Question

Explain.

Answer 1

Well, not completely understand humans by studying animals.

But, when we study animal behavior, since it doesn't have all of the complexities and layers of human behavior, we can see some things that, when we apply those ideas to humans it illuminates aspects of our behavior.

Especially among our closest relations -- we're similar in many ways to other apes.

But you can't just say "wolves do x because y, therefore, that's human nature, too." You have to be careful in drawing conclusions from one species to another.

Answer 2

I watched a marathon of "Redneck weddings' on TV last weekend. So I am going to have to say yes, studying animals should give me lots of insifght into human behaviour.

PS

I think my IQ dropped by about 5 points from just watching that show.

Answer 3

I´m not sure. I´m a psychology student in Argentina and think that we, human beings, are different to animals in the fact that culture fosters cultural developments and therefore we haven´t been the same all throughout history.

In my opinion we would need to find out more about our social determination so as to go and research other species for comparison. However I do think there´s some stuff, such as cell structures or physiological function, that can be similar and useful to draw conclusion about our physiologically basis

Answer 4

We are animals!

It is possible to get many insights, but one must remember every species is variant from another.

Answer 5

What sets us apart from other animals is our large brain.  Yes, we are animals (goes without saying, really) so we have inherited many instincts because we all share the same proteins - we're all made up of the same stuff.  But if you want to understand how our brain works, I think it's best to study our own evolution and why we inherited these traits from our own ancestors.

In short, why did we need these large brains - why did our species select for it?  Why haven't other animal species done the same?  It may be the difference btwn humans and ALL other animals that may give us insight.

Answer 6

Of course! :]

It's quite helpful to understand animal reactions + instincts. But civilization has brought us a long way from acting like animals and great aggression and getting angry easily is considered a disorder. >.> Most people might not know that but it is, you can look that up.

And acts like that are actually pretty normal. I mean, you see animals in the wilderness fighting for power, and that's exactly what some people are trying to do!

Too bad some people can't understand that it is a natural instinct for some people to fight to get to the top... =/

Answer 7

Yes, because who knows nature better than those who live in it and experience it all day everyday.

Answer 8

Sure..studying their source of food has something to do with how they operate.

Answer 9

This is a great question, and is at the philosophical core of primatology and some aspects of physical anthropology, though unfortunately, many have lost sight of it in the morasse of details.  

My opinion (as a professional archaeologist, and not an expert in biology, behavioral zoology or primatology) is that the answer is yes for several reasons:

1.  We are animals

2.  All of our behavior is biologically based (even our vastly over-rated reasoning) or it would be impossible.

3. Not everything we do is biologically determined.  

4. Even when animal behavior seems difficult to understand, thinking it through always teaches us something about ourselves

And... as a logical extension of #4... thinking ANYTHING through teaches us about ourselves.