How did researchers test great ape recognition of former companions?

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Researchers tested great ape recognition by presenting photos of familiar and unfamiliar individuals.

Researchers investigated the social memory of great apes by showing them images on a screen. The experiment involved 12 bonobos and 15 chimpanzees, who were presented with photographs of two different great apes. One image displayed an individual the test subjects had lived with for at least a year, while the other showed a stranger.
Primates showed a preference for familiar faces.

The study observed that the bonobos and chimpanzees consistently spent more time looking at the photos of former companions compared to those of unknown apes. Their gaze lingered, on average, for an additional quarter of a second on images of individuals they knew. This suggests a capacity to recognise and recall past social connections.
Positive relationships enhanced recognition time.

The primates exhibited even longer viewing times when presented with images of apes with whom they had previously shared a positive relationship. This finding indicates that the recognition is not merely based on familiarity but also on the quality of the social bond, implying that the apes may retain information about the nature of their past interactions.
Long-term memory was demonstrated in the study.

The research provided evidence of significant long-term social memory in great apes. In one notable instance, a female bonobo named Louise was able to recognise her sister, Loretta, and nephew, Erin, after a separation of over 26 years. This case highlights the remarkable duration over which these animals can retain recognition of individuals.

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How did researchers test great ape recognition of former companions?

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