Why Class Formation Occurs in Humans but Not among Other Primates : A Primate Coalitions Model.

Human Nature : an Interdisciplinary Biosocial Perspective
Sagar A PanditCarel P van Schaik

Abstract

Most human societies exhibit a distinct class structure, with an elite, middle classes, and a bottom class, whereas animals form simple dominance hierarchies in which individuals with higher fighting ability do not appear to form coalitions to "oppress" weaker individuals. Here, we extend our model of primate coalitions and find that a division into a bottom class and an upper class is inevitable whenever fitness-enhancing resources, such as food or real estate, are exploitable or tradable and the members of the bottom class cannot easily leave the group. The model predicts that the bottom class has a near flat, low payoff and always comprises at least half the society. The upper class may subdivide into one or more middle class(es), resulting in improved payoff for the topmost members (elite). The model predicts that the bottom class on its own is incapable of mounting effective counter-coalitions against the upper class, except when receiving support from dissatisfied members of the middle class(es). Such counter-coalitions can be prevented by keeping the payoff to the lowest-ranked members of the middle classes (through concessions) well above that of the bottom class. This simple model explains why classes are also absent i...Continue Reading

References

Jul 2, 2002·The Quarterly Review of Biology·Rebecca J Lewis
Dec 28, 1962·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·S A ALTMANN
Dec 22, 2006·Nature·T H Clutton-BrockM B Manser
Oct 7, 2009·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Hillard S KaplanMichael Gurven
Jul 29, 2010·Journal of Theoretical Biology·Paul L HooperJames L Boone
Jan 1, 2011·Perspectives on Psychological Science : a Journal of the Association for Psychological Science·Michael I Norton, Dan Ariely
Nov 29, 2015·Human Nature : an Interdisciplinary Biosocial Perspective·Sagar A PanditCarel P Van Schaik
Jan 6, 2016·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Simon T PowersLaurent Lehmann
Aug 16, 2016·Evolutionary Anthropology·Siobhán M MattisonEthan E Cochrane
Sep 8, 2016·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Christopher R von Rueden, Adrian V Jaeggi

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 2, 2021·Human Nature : an Interdisciplinary Biosocial Perspective·Kurt M Wilson, Brian F Codding
Mar 3, 2021·Nature Human Behaviour·Paul L HooperAdrian V Jaeggi

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Journal of Pediatric Health Care : Official Publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners
D M Hardy
Texas Medicine
James B Morrison
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved