1. Primate Behavior & Models for Human Evolution
Chapter 7 & 8
Primate Behavior & Models for Human Evolution

2. The Evolution of Behavior
An action in response to internal or external stimuli.
Response to environment.
Deliberate or unconscious.
Behavioral Ecology
Natural environment
Behaviors Biological traits
Genes

3. The Evolution of Behavior
Behavioral phenotypes transmitted genetically at faster rate than others.
Genetic + Environmental Factors = Behavior
There are different limits & potentials for learning in various species.
(i.e. Rabbit vs. Chimpanzee)

4. Primate Social Structure
Social structures result from natural selection.
Primates are among the most social of animals.
Factors Influencing Social Structure:
Body Size
BMR & diet
Distribution of Resources
Predation
Relation to other species
Dispersal
Life histories
Sleeping sites
Activity patterns
Human activities

5. Primate Social Behavior:
Dominance
dominance hierarchies.
Access to resources.
Factors influencing dominance status:
Sex • Intelligence
Age • Motivation
Aggression • Mother’s social position
Time in the group

6. Primate Social Behavior:
Communication
Autonomic vs. Deliberate communication.
Reassurance is communicated through hugging or holding hands.
The fear grin, seen in all primates, indicates fear and submission.
Displays
communicate emotional states.

7. Primate Social Behavior: Aggression & Affiliative Behaviors
Competition for resources
Signals & displays
Tense situations
Core area & territorialism
Affiliative behaviors
Physical contact
Altruism

8. Patterns of Reproduction
Estrus Cycle
No permanent bonding
Reproductive strategies
K-selected & R-selected
Male competition for mates = sexual selection

9. Sexual Selection
A type of natural selection that operates on one sex, usually males.
Increase frequency of traits (successful mates).
Sexual selection dimorphism
Infanticide as a reproductive strategy?
Reasons

10. Primate Cultural Behavior
Basic social unit
Polygamous relations, males are not active.
Experiments with orphan Monkeys.
Do apes have culture?
Learned through observation
Examples of culture

11. Language Communicating abstract thoughts.
Closed system of communication
Challenges to these views:
Vervet monkeys
Distinct calls for specific references
Film examples

12. The Primate Continuum
Humans have bigger brains but same neurological processes.
Ethical dilemmas in the study of our closest relatives.
Should we study/exploit them for our benefit?
We cage nonhuman primates without regard for their needs.
Nonhuman primates should be maintained in social groups and introduced to habitat enrichment programs.

13. Quick Quiz

14. 1. Dominance hierarchies
guarantee that dominant males are more reproductively successful.
result in dominant individuals having priority access to food.
don't guarantee a reproductive advantage in dominant males.
are permanent.

15. Answer: b
Dominance hierarchies result in dominant individuals having priority access to food.

16. 2. Affiliative behaviors
arise when there is competition for resources.
enhance group cohesiveness.
are rare among primates.
may include displays.

17. Answer: b
Affiliative behaviors enhance group cohesiveness.

18. 3. Vervet monkey communication
is used to support the theory that primate vocalizations do not include external events or objects.
is limited to scent marking and an occasional bark.
includes specific sounds for different categories of predators (air, tree or ground).
is sophisticated with regard to food.

19. Answer: c
Vervet monkey communication includes specific sounds for different categories of predators (air, tree or ground).

20. 4. In a group's territory there is usually a _________________ area where the highest concentration of resources can be found.

21. Answer: core
In a group's territory there is usually a core area where the highest concentration of resources can be found.

22. In Class Primate Activity
Using information from chapters 6 & 7 in the
text and the films, form small groups to
discuss the following questions:
What are some similarities humans share with primates? (anatomical & behavioral) List 5+
Define and give an example (3)of the following primate behaviors:
Altruism, aggression, communication, dominance & reproductive strategies.
List the following:
Three examples of Prosimians and Anthropoids as well as their characteristics
Discuss why infanticide is seen as reproductive strategy. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Describe and give examples of language & cognitive abilities of apes. Do apes have language or only humans do?