R.I.P. Professor Frans de Waal

Groundbreaking Research on Cortisol

Frans de Waal, the Dutch primatologist known for his profound impact on the scientific understanding of human psychology, passed away last week.

Although I, as a fellow countryman, did not have the privilege of meeting him personally, I have been following his work on primate behavior over the years.

He received prestigious scientific awards, as well as the Ig Nobel Prize, for his paper on chimpanzees’ tendency to recognize bums better than faces. One of his famous quotes is: “I have moved the monkeys up a little and the people down a little.” His TED talks garnered millions of views, including the viral grape vs. cucumber video. It is thanks to him for demonstrating that bonobos are especially relevant to understanding human behavior.

Alpha Angst: The Stressful Side of Dominance

His research illuminated how cortisol impacts social interactions and hierarchies within primate communities. It upended the notion of the alpha male as a carefree king, revealing a surprising link between dominance and stress.

De Waal's team measured cortisol levels in troops. Unsurprisingly, the lowest-ranking males exhibited high cortisol. But the alpha males, seemingly at the pinnacle of the hierarchy, also showed elevated levels. Why do all these privileges come with a significant burden? De Waal theorizes that the alpha's stress stems from the constant pressure to maintain order within the group. They must manage complex social dynamics, intervene in disputes, and face challenges from potential rivals.? This “control role,” as De Waal terms it, requires constant vigilance and carries a heavy psychological load leading to reconciliation.

He Revealed the Essence of Leadership: Prioritizing Empathy Over Strength

He found the correlation between cortisol levels and empathy (E.I.) in primates. Individuals with higher empathy levels exhibit lower cortisol responses to stressors, suggesting a potential link between emotional intelligence and stress regulation in primates.

If you’d like to know more about Cortisol and the physiological responses to stressors, I recommend reading Professor Robert Sapolsky‘s book Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers.

These findings raise intriguing questions about human leadership. They make us wonder if being in charge can cause a lot of stress, even for those at the top. Do leaders become more caring and understanding, or does power make them less empathetic??

Cortisol levels may affect how we behave socially. Understanding this link could help us improve our mental health, relationships, and society.

Understanding Cortisol: The Master Hormone

Much like the conductor of a symphony, cortisol plays a vital role in our body. We interviewed the world’s top scientists across disciplines. Their research shows that Cortisol overrides every fundamental biological process and is a leading factor in thousands of health conditions and diseases. In our book, we establish connections and causality, revealing a comprehensive understanding of the Cortisol puzzle when all its pieces are examined.

• To learn more about Cortisol and the steps we can take to mitigate its impact on our health, please check out our book:

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