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Dominance hierarchies: Difference between revisions
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Rather than fighting each time over resources, the animal of higher status gets to decide in a dominance hierarchy. This enables cooperation by reducing chances of aggression which may explain why such behaviors have evolved in many animals. | Rather than fighting each time over resources, the animal of higher status gets to decide in a dominance hierarchy. This enables cooperation by reducing chances of aggression which may explain why such behaviors have evolved in many animals. | ||
The highest ranking animal is called ''alpha'', the next highest ''beta'' and so on. In many species, the alpha animals have | The highest ranking animal is called ''alpha'', the next highest ''beta'' and so on. In many species, the alpha animals have some interest in maintaining alliances with lower ranking ones to avoid a beta/omega uprising. | ||
Dominance hierarchies are regulated by various innate behaviors and traits, e.g. the ability to remember and recognize one's own and other's ranks quickly and reliably, but they also include emotions and signals like envy (status drive), acceptance of lower status (withdrawal, blushing etc.). | Dominance hierarchies are regulated by various innate behaviors and traits, e.g. the ability to remember and recognize one's own and other's ranks quickly and reliably, but they also include emotions and signals like envy (status drive), acceptance of lower status (withdrawal, blushing etc.). | ||