What animals show remorse, besides humans?

Question

What animals show remorse, besides humans?

Answer 1

Scientists and psychologist are just beginning to understand the level of emotions animals possess that are currently reserved for human beings.  In fact animals are often studied to understand human psychological ailments.  

An article dated Nov 1, 2006 in Cognitive Psychology added elephants to the elite group of animals that recognize them selves in the mirror.  

ScienceDaily (Oct. 31, 2006) — Elephants have joined a small, elite group of species-including humans, great apes and dolphins-that have the ability to recognize themselves in the mirror, according to a new finding by researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in New York. This newly found presence of mirror self-recognition in elephants, previously predicted due to their well-known social complexity, is thought to relate to empathetic tendencies and the ability to distinguish oneself from others, a characteristic that evolved independently in several branches of animals, including primates such as humans.

ELEPHANTS AND PTSD  (post traumatic stress syndrome)

Given the social and neurobiological similarities between species, it is no surprise that both humans and elephants experience PTSD. Indeed, much of our understanding of trauma has been based on studies of animals as well as humans. Animals are routinely used in experiments as models to study stress and trauma effects in humans. Many experiments on animals have been designed specifically to study the effects of torture, maternal deprivation, and incarceration that humans endure during war and other violence. These conditions are very similar to those that elephants experience under conditions of closed confinement captivity. We now understand that the qualities that have made animals consistent models for understanding humans are the same qualities that make animals equally vulnerable to similar pain and suffering.

In a abnormal psychology class I took last semester, we learned of experiments with dogs that showed they exhibited many emotions that were previously thought of as human emotions.  Knowledge of themselves, calculated reasoning.  I am not a scientist so I cannot make an intelligent statement that emphatically proves animals are capable of feeling deep social emotions, but I am confident that in the coming years, more studies will be performed and hypothesis proven that we are not the only primate or animal capable of emotions.  

EDIT:  DOGS show empathy

http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/arti...

If you're yawning, chances are your dog is about to do the same thing.

A study published in the journal Biology Letters this week found that human yawns are contagious to dogs, a sign that man's best friend might be capable of a rudimentary form of empathy.

To scientists, dogs have been a puzzle. Dogs are adept at reading human intentions and excel over other animals in picking up human hand gestures and other behavioral cues. At the same time, though, they appear to lack a sense of self, considered a prerequisite for understanding the feelings of others.

The latest study demonstrates that dogs are not completely egocentric in their relationships with humans but possess "some low-level attending to what others feel," said Duke University anthropologist Brian Hare, who was not involved in the research.

Duke professor is a very good source.

Answer 2

The question is whether animals show remorse? Here is the actual definition:

Main Entry:

    re·morse Listen to the pronunciation of remorse

Pronunciation:

    \ri-ˈmȯrs\

Function:

    noun

Etymology:

    Middle English, from Anglo-French remors, from Medieval Latin remorsus, from Late Latin, act of biting again, from Latin remordēre to bite again, from re- + mordēre to bite — more at mordant

Date:

    14th century

1: a gnawing distress arising from a sense of guilt for past wrongs : self-reproach2obsolete : compassion

synonyms see penitence

Do you honestly believe any animal (including elephants) feel guilt for past wrongs? What, did Dumbo feel regret for eating too many peanuts?

Give me a break. The answer is NO.

Answer 3

Primates I think

Answer 4

elephants and my dogs cats not so much!

lol

Answer 5

Remorse is an emotion a human feels when they've done something they've been taught is morally (or ethically) wrong.  Animals don't understand morals/ethics.  Dogs may *look* remorseful when they've done something they've been punished for before, but the look is only a cowering reaction to the anticipation of being punished again.

Remorse is a human emotion, not an animal one.

EDIT

Gosh, I love the 3 thumbs down.  It's not like I said animals don't have *any* emotions.  C'mon!  Well, I discussed the answer with my dog since she's the one that told me what to say.  She's feeling really regretful about it now...

M's!