Primate Dominance and Sexual Access

Primate social hierarchies, where individuals compete for higher status.

Higher-ranking males have more opportunities to mate, especially when females are fertile.

Primate social status is not fixed; individuals constantly compete and influence each other's ranks.

Primate social skills, like alliances, are crucial for maintaining a high rank, exceeding just physical size.

Higher-ranking primates typically have more offspring due to increased mating opportunities.

Dominant males tend to mate most when females are ovulating, increasing chances of conception.

Deaths or removals of dominant primates often cause short-term instability in the group as other compete for top rank.

Lower-ranking primates may form alliances to gain reproductive opportunities, when less likely to mate with females.

Actions that individuals display to gain recognition and high standing within a group. These actions typically involve competence, generosity, and sacrifice.

The impact of generosity on social reputation depends on whether the giving is witnessed by others or kept hidden.

Maintaining a good reputation is highly valued and individuals are willing to endure significant costs to avoid a negative one.

People are willing to make substantial sacrifices, such as time in jail or even death, to avoid a negative public image.

One way to gain prestige is by demonstrating exceptional skills or knowledge in areas valued by the group.

Giving more than receiving resources can boost prestige within a group.

Making personal sacrifices, such as time or effort, to benefit the group can also contribute to prestige.

Signaling commitment to the group's values and goals through actions is an important path towards prestige.

Prestige is freely given respect based on special skills, knowledge, or social connections, often specific to particular areas like hunting or medicine.

Unlike dominance, which relies on force or fear, prestige is based on admiration and respect. People with prestige are sought after for their knowledge or benefits they can provide.

In hunter-gatherer societies, people signal prestige by offering feasts, sharing valuable resources like meat, or showing valuable knowledge that benefits the group.

Costly signaling, where individuals expend resources to demonstrate their value, is crucial for acquiring prestige. It shows commitment and benefits the entire group.

A recent model suggests that competence in various areas, like fighting ability, leadership, or skill, is the underlying key to achieving both dominance and prestige.

While there are different paths to status, from strength to knowledge, all require competence in their respective areas. You can't be a successful hunter without hunting skills, for instance.

Costly signaling, like throwing feasts or sharing valuable resources, is a major way individuals signal their prestige and establish their position within a group.

Individuals who acquire prestige through costly signaling contribute to the well-being of the group, promoting cooperation and altruism.

A strategy for getting ahead that involves deceiving others, boasting, and manipulating situations to gain advantage.

A strategy involving cultivating friendships, showcasing positive personality traits, and actively participating in social events to enhance standing.

A strategy focused on demonstrating hard work, acquiring knowledge, and taking initiative to gain recognition.

The effectiveness of each tactic depends on the specific context and social environment.

Using the Deception/Manipulation tactic is associated with lower life satisfaction compared to other strategies.

Two different ways to distribute rewards: Equality gives everyone the same, while Equity gives more to those who contribute more.

A theory explaining how followers choose leaders based on their fairness criteria, favoring leaders who distribute rewards based on contributions or equally.

Individuals who contribute more to the group are likely to prefer leaders who reward based on individual contributions, as this benefits them.

Individuals who contribute less to the group are likely to prefer leaders who distribute rewards equally, as it benefits them.

Men have much higher potential variation in reproductive success compared to women, meaning some men can father many offspring while others have none.

The more polygynous (multiple mates) a mating system is, the more intense the competition among males becomes for reproductive success.

In highly competitive mating environments, males develop strategies to avoid being excluded from reproduction entirely, including social tactics.

Individuals use various strategies to navigate and gain advantage within status hierarchies, including forming alliances, showing competence, or being assertive.

It's the idea that individuals cooperate and help each other, expecting to receive similar benefits in the future. It's like a give-and-take relationship.

Followers incur costs when giving a leader prestige, such as paying attention, praising them, or using formal titles. These costs can be small, but historically, they might include sharing resources.

Being a prestigious leader provides benefits, including access to resources like food, mates, and power. This prestige is often earned by offering valuable services to the group.

In societies focused on hunting, leaders are often valued for physical attributes like strength, athleticism, courage, and skill in weapon use. These qualities are essential for success in hunting and warfare.

Across different societies, other leadership qualities are also valued, such as intelligence, social skills, speaking skills, and the ability to unite people towards a common goal.

Fairness is an important quality in leaders, but its definition can vary. It includes treating everyone equally, being transparent, and making decisions that are just and beneficial for the group.