Primate group organization

Primate group organization

• Size• Dispersal (male/female)• Group composition• Dominance hierarchy

Dominance

• Differential access to resources– Food– Reproductive opportunities– Space

• Species differences• Dominance displays

Leadership myths in animals

• Animal leadership is just power/physical strength?

• Dominance is conflict?• Leaders are always male?

Cooperation• Actions with mutual benefit• Alliances and coalitions• Grooming• Appeasement• Reconciliation

Benefits of group living for primates

• Food sharing• Predator protection• Social learning

– knowledge partly through being in the presence of others, or clues left by others

– My research: social learning opportunities in orangutans

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See & do

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mud play