Dominance hierarchy 1096688 194715721 2008-02-28T19:21:00Z J.delanoy 2372780 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/Hang traitors4|Hang traitors4]] ([[User talk:Hang traitors4|talk]]) to last version by DumZiBoT {{Mergefrom|Dominance (ethology)|date=November 2007}} A '''dominance hierarchy''' or [[social hierarchy]] is an [[organization]]al form by which individuals within a [[community]] control the distribution of resources within the community. Dominance hierarchies are formed when a group of individuals belonging to the same species share a territory. Dominance hierarchies can be [[despotic]] or [[linear]]. In a despotic hierarchy, one individual controls all the other individuals. In a linear hierarchy, of which the classic example of [[pecking order]] in hens is often cited, each individual has a rank in the hierarchy. Dominance [[hierarchy|hierarchies]] occur in most social animal species, including [[primates]] who normally live in groups. Dominance hierarchies have been extensively studied in [[fish]], [[birds]], and [[mammals]]. Dominance hierarchies can be simple linear structures, which often arise from the physical differences among individuals in a group in relation to their access to resources. They are also influenced by the complex social interactions among individuals in the group. ==Determiners of the Dominance Hierarchy== It has been postulated that paired interactions alone can not account for the emergence of dominance hierarchies. Such phenomena as the [[audience effect]], the context-dependent audience effect in [[Betta splendens]], the [[observer effect]], and the winner-loser effect{{Fact|date=June 2007}}, may play important roles in the formation of dominance hierarchies in social groups. The social group forms a complex signaling network: interaction that occur among just two individuals of the group are in turn affected by other signals transmitted by individuals in direct communication with them. Such signaling may be subtle, abbreviated and symbolic. Individuals with greater hierarchical status tend to displace those ranked lower from access to space, to [[food]] and to [[mating]] opportunities. Thus, individuals with higher [[social status]] tend to have greater [[reproductive success]] by mating more often and having more resources to invest in the survival of [[offspring]]. Hence it serves as an intrinsic factor for population control, insuring adequate resources for the dominant individuals and thus preventing widespread starvation. [[Territory (animal)|Territorial]] [[ethology|behavior]] enhances this effect.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908050,00.html The Animal Watchers - TIME<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://www.geocities.com/we_evolve/Human_Nature/lorenz.html Lorenz:On Aggression:BOOK SUMMARY<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> These hierarchies are not fixed and depend on any number of changing factors, among them are [[ageing|age]], [[gender]], body size, [[intelligence (trait)|intelligence]], and [[aggressiveness]]. Status may also be affected by the ability to marshal the support of others. Indeed, the need to maintain social position and social knowledge may be an impetus for the evolution of larger [[brain]]s in humans and other animals.<ref>[http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/mind/1996/00000006/00000004/00118393 IngentaConnect Dominance Hierarchies and the Evolution of Human Reasoning<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Dominance hierarchies, though often more subtle, can be observed in human societies and are important for understanding the organization of [[family]], [[tribe]] or [[clan]], work organizations, [[politics]], etc. in normal and abnormal social situations. It is not clear how much of dominance hierarchy in humans is due to the [[Nature versus nurture|intrinsic biology]] of our brains, derived from [[evolution]], and how much is due to [[culture|cultural]] factors. Dominance relationships require the cooperation of both parties. The dominant party tacitly agrees not to kill or injure the submissive party provided the submitter concedes and does not interfere with the dominant party's access to resources or compete for mates. The ability to identify and remember members of the group along with their dominance status is also necessary. These hierarchies may have developed, in evolutionary terms, for the sake of efficiency and in order to reduce the likelihood of injury among group members who may share [[The Selfish Gene|genes]]. As with the case of [[altruism in animals]], the voluntary abbreviation of hostilities into symbolic form remains something of a [[Darwinian Puzzle]]. ==Dominance-Charisma Relationship== Many psychologists and others interested in the dominance hierarchy agree that Dominance and [[Charisma]] are closely related. ==References== {{reflist}} {{refbegin}} * Chase I., Tovey C., Spangler-Martin D., Manfredonia M. 2002. ''Individual differences versus social dynamics in the formation of animal dominance hierarchies''. PNAS 99 (9): 5744-5749. * Chase I., Bartolomeo C.,Dugatkin L. 1994. ''Aggressive interactions and inter-contest interval: how long do winners keep winning?''. Animal Behaviour 48 (2): 393-400 * Cummins D.D., ''Dominance Hierarchies and the Evolution of Human Reasoning''. Minds and Machines, Volume 6, Number 4, November 1996, pp. 463-480(18) * Oliveira RF, McGregor P. K., Latruffe C. 1998. ''Know thine enemy: fighting fish gather information from observing conspecific interactions''. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 265: 1045-1049. * Wilson, E. O. Sociobiology. 2000. {{refend}} ==See also== * [[Sociobiology]] * [[Social organization]] * [[Hierarchical organization]] * [[Evolution of intelligence]] * [[Pecking order]] ===Books with this theme=== * [[Lord of the Flies]] by William Golding * [[Life of Pi]] by Yann Martel [[Category:Ethology]] [[fr:HiƩrarchie de dominance]]