Author

Nasha Holt

Date of Award

8-1980

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

Supervisor

Emöke J. E. Szathmary

Language

English

Abstract

Social dominance has been defined and measured in various ways in studies of non-human primate social organization. In this project, dominance is defined operationally as an inter-correlated cluster of behaviours, one of which is the ability to aggress on an individual without that individual responding with aggression. Behavioural observations are conducted on a captive group of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) in order to determine whether dominance relationships are present and to examine the validity of traditional measures of dominance. A cluster of inter-correlated behaviours is identified which indicates dominance and ranks the animals into a linear hierarchy. The primary significance of the dominance hierarchy lies in conferring predictability to certain limited types of behavioural interactions, including agonistic encounters, non-agonistic approach-retreat patterns, and non-agonistic presenting. Delineation of such clear-cut dominance hierarchies is rare in non-captive situations, and possible reasons for this difference are discussed. An improved methodological approach to the study of dominance is proposed as a basis for comparative analysis utilizing the dominance concept.

McMaster University Library


Download

Included in

Anthropology Commons

Share

COinS