My research on primate behavior focuses on social complexity in the widest possible sense, including alliance formation, reciprocal exchange, reconciliation following aggression, deceptive communication, and responses to environmentally induced stress. This research has a distinctly comparative character; it is being pursued with chimpanzees, bonobos, several macaque species, and capuchin monkeys.
I am a Dutch/American behavioral biologist known for his work on the social intelligence of primates. His first book, Chimpanzee Politics (1982) compared the schmoozing and scheming of chimpanzees involved in power struggles with that of human politicians. Ever since, de Waal has drawn parallels between primate and human behavior, from peacemaking and morality to culture. His latest book is The Bonobo and the Atheist (March 2013, Norton). De Waal is C. H. Candler Professor in the Psychology Department of Emory University and Director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of the (US) National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences. In 2007, he was selected by Time as one of The Worlds’ 100 Most Influential People Today, and in 2011 by Discover as 47 [all time] Great Minds of Science.
Honors:
2014 |
Eugène Dubois Chair, Maastricht University |
2013 |
Universiteitshoogleraar (Distinguished Professor), Utrecht University |
2013 |
Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Pioneer Award |
2013 |
Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen, Foreign Member |
2013 |
Doctor Honoris Causa, Utrecht University |
2012 |
Ig-Nobel Award in the category: Anatomy |
2012 |
Grossman Award, Society of Neurological Surgeons |
2011 |
Editor-in-Chief Behaviour |
2011 |
Doctor Honoris Causa, Colgate University |
2011 |
Discover magazine's "47 (all time) Great Minds of Science" |
2010 |
Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (Ridder, Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw) |
2010 |
Liberales Book of the Year for The Age of Empathy (Netherlands/Belgium) |
2009 |
Medal, Società di Medicina e Scienze Naturali, Parma (Italy) |
2009 |
C. U. Ariëns Kappers Award (Netherlands) |
2009 |
Doctor Honoris Causa, University for Humanistics, Utrecht (Netherlands) |
2008 |
American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Fellow |
2008 |
Pierre Bayle Oeuvre Award, Rotterdam Art Foundation (Netherlands) |
2007 |
Time magazine "100 World’s Most Influential People Today" |
2005 |
American Philosophical Society (APS), Member |
2005 |
Arthur W. Staats Award, American Psychological Foundation (APF) |
2004 |
National Academy of Sciences (NAS), Member |
2001 |
APA Presidential Citation for Outstanding Contributions |
1998 |
Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) |
1996 |
Charles Howard Candler Chair, Emory University |
1995 |
Fellow of the Carl Friedrich von Siemens Stiftung (Germany) |
1993 |
Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (KNAW), Correspondent Member |
1989 |
Los Angeles Times Book Award for Peacemaking among Primates |