Primate Dominance and Sexual Access

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Questions and Answers

What is one primary benefit of social prestige for leaders?

Higher social isolation

Access to better resources (correct)

Increased physical strength

Reduced responsibility

What underlying principle does the service-for-prestige theory rely on?

Mutualism

Natural selection

Reciprocal altruism (correct)

Social dominance theory

Which of the following is a cost incurred by followers when bestowing prestige on leaders?

Providing financial support

Attending social gatherings

Paying greater attention to the leader (correct)

Losing personal prestige

In small-scale societies, which quality is LEAST preferred in leaders during hunting and warfare?

Intelligence Signup and view all the answers

Across both wartime and peacetime contexts, which of the following qualities is consistently valued in leaders?

Oratory skills Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the leadership qualities that may be defined variably across cultures?

Fairness Signup and view all the answers

How did followers historically confer prestige on leaders?

By ceding key reproductive resources Signup and view all the answers

The statement 'Nobody ever tells an Eskimo what to do' illustrates which concept regarding leaders?

Leaders provide advice rather than commands Signup and view all the answers

What tactic is most highly correlated with educational attainment?

Industriousness/Knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Which tactic is men more likely to use compared to women?

Deception/Manipulation Signup and view all the answers

How is life satisfaction related to the use of the Deception/Manipulation tactic?

It is lower than for individuals using concurrent tactics. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered one of the three major tactics identified?

Teamwork/Collaboration Signup and view all the answers

Which two tactics are positively correlated with actual salary?

Deception/Manipulation and Industriousness/Knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between equity and equality in terms of group rewards?

Equity provides rewards based on individual contributions, while equality gives the same reward to all members. Signup and view all the answers

Who is likely to favor the concept of equity in a group setting?

Individuals who contribute more than average. Signup and view all the answers

According to the services-for-prestige theory, what motivates leaders and followers?

Followers grant prestige to leaders in exchange for services. Signup and view all the answers

How does male reproductive success typically differ from female reproductive success?

Male reproductive success can vary significantly based on social status. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does a polygynous mating system have on male reproductive strategies?

It intensifies the pressure on males to secure reproductive opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the status hierarchies discussed, what does the term 'prestige' imply?

A social respect or admiration that leaders receive from followers. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the text mention that nearly all fertile females historically succeeded in reproducing?

Variation in male reproductive access limited male success. Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible tactic for individuals to climb status hierarchies?

Offering services in exchange for recognition or status. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily characterizes prestige in social hierarchies?

Freely conferred deference Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is most likely to evoke respect among the Tsimane of Bolivia?

Hunting skills Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in forming prestige hierarchies according to the framework of competence?

Competence in relevant domains Signup and view all the answers

How do prestigious individuals influence lower-ranking individuals?

By evoking admiration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a competence relevant to status?

Skill in high economic status Signup and view all the answers

What role does costly signaling play in the acquisition of prestige?

It involves demonstrating valuable contributions to the group. Signup and view all the answers

What type of skills are considered critical for gaining prestige in traditional societies?

Specialized knowledge and skills relevant to the group Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the relationship between dominance and prestige?

Both hinge upon the display of competence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of dominant male chimps on female sexual access during estrus?

Dominant males have increased sexual access. Signup and view all the answers

What factor is NOT a primary determinant of rank in primate hierarchies?

Physical size of the primate. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to hierarchies in primate groups over time?

They are subject to continual competition. Signup and view all the answers

What was discovered through DNA fingerprinting regarding male chimps?

High-ranking males sire a disproportionate number of offspring. Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to a temporary period of instability in primate hierarchies?

Injuries or deaths of dominant individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Why is there an evolutionary basis for sex differences in dominance-striving motives?

Males have increased mating opportunities linked to dominance. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon can occur when a subordinate male loses alliance with an alpha male?

He may lose sexual access. Signup and view all the answers

Which animal groups have shown similar patterns of dominance and sexual access as chimps?

Orangutans, baboons, and macaques. Signup and view all the answers

How do individuals typically acquire prestige in modern social groups?

By displaying high levels of competence Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element that affects the accrual of prestige signaling?

Others' awareness of the individual's signals Signup and view all the answers

In the charity contribution experiment, which factor led to a significant boost in prestige?

Contributing publicly in front of others Signup and view all the answers

What dilemma illustrates the lengths individuals will go to avoid a bad reputation?

Choosing a year in jail but not being seen as a criminal Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of participants preferred to die rather than be remembered as a criminal?

53% Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'death before dishonor' suggest about social reputation?

People value their reputation above even their own lives Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated about people's preferences regarding reputation and life choices?

Individuals will sacrifice personal experiences for good reputation Signup and view all the answers

In the context of prestige signaling, how important is the visibility of contributions?

Critical for enhancing social status Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Increased Sexual Access in Chimpanzees

Dominant male chimpanzees have more sexual access, particularly during female estrus, when conception is most likely.
Subordinate males have less sexual access, during periods when conception is less likely.
Studies using DNA fingerprinting confirm that high-ranking males father a disproportionate number of offspring.
This pattern is also seen in orangutans, baboons, and macaques.

Primate Dominance Hierarchies

Dominance hierarchies are dynamic: Individuals constantly compete and positions change frequently.
Ousted dominant individuals may regain power.
Instability occurs following deaths or injuries of dominant animals.
Dominance is not solely based on physical size. Social skills and alliances are critical.
Allies are essential for support in contests.
Sexual access plays a significant role in the evolution of dominance.

Evolutionary Theories of Dominance, Prestige, and Status

Evolutionary theories of status need to explain adaptive problems solved by status hierarchies and why individuals accept subordinate positions.
The theory should predict tactics used to negotiate hierarchies, such as in scholarly settings.
It should explain why status striving is more common in males than females.
Theories should address subordinate behaviors, such as ridicule and ostracism.
They should differentiate dominance hierarchies (resource allocation) from production hierarchies (coordination).
They should identify paths to elevated status, like dominance and prestige.

Prestige Signaling, Altruism, and Reputation

Costly signaling plays a role in achieving prestige. Examples include lavish feasts, sharing costly resources, and displays of competence.
To gain prestige, individuals need to be observed and perceived as competent and generous.
Acts of altruism and personal sacrifice signal commitment to the group.
Prestige relies on reputation for others to understand, respect, and trust individuals' signals.

Leadership and Followership: The Service-for-Prestige Theory

Leadership involves displays that benefit the group or show deep knowledge beneficial to it.
Leaders emerge through group consensus.
Leaders with knowledge and competence are sought, exhibiting generosity by making sacrifices.
Service-for-prestige theory explains leader-follower relations: Leaders provide valuable services, earning prestige in return.
Service, knowledge, intelligence, wisdom and skill are considered valuable leader assets.
Followers provide prestige to leaders in return for the leader providing benefits to the group.

Men and Women in Status Striving

Men and women differ significantly in the variability of their reproductive success. Male reproduction potential is typically higher due to less stringent reproductive constraints.
Polygynous mating systems intensify the selection pressure on males to maximize reproductive success.
Individuals use deception, manipulation, social displays, and knowledge/industriousness to attain status and hierarchy.

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Description

This quiz explores the dynamics of sexual access and dominance among chimpanzees and other primates. It covers how hierarchical structures affect reproductive success and the evolutionary implications of these social behaviors. Dive into the mechanisms of primate social systems and their impact on species propagation.