Males dominating social hierarchies are more of an exception, asserted by a recent study.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have challenged the long-held belief that male dominance is the norm in primate societies. The study, conducted by a team led by Dr. Élise Huchard, chief editor of behavioral and evolutionary ecology for the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, revealed that clear-cut male dominance is relatively rare, occurring in only about 16% of the primate populations studied[1][2].
The researchers spent five years compiling data from 253 primate populations across 121 species to investigate power dynamics between the sexes. Their findings point to a surprising flexibility in gender roles, with female dominance observed in roughly 10% of the populations[1]. The majority—around 70%—of societies show moderate or no clear dominance by either sex.
Key findings include the discovery that male-female aggressive interactions are common, with nearly half of all fights in social groups occurring between males and females[2]. This highlights that conflict between sexes is widespread, challenging the assumption that female primates are passive participants in social hierarchies.
The study also reveals that dominance depends strongly on ecology and social factors, not just on physical strength. Where males can physically outcompete females, male dominance is more likely. In other contexts, females achieve power through social strategies, alliances, or other means[3].
This variation in dominance relationships exists both within and between primate species, showing no universal pattern of male supremacy. Even among our closest relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, exhibit different forms of dominance, with one being male-dominant and the other essentially female-dominant.
Dr. Dieter Lukas, an evolutionary biologist and co-author of the study, stated that what they found challenges long-standing stereotypes. "There's no single blueprint for who holds the power in primate societies," he said[1].
The implication for humans is that patriarchy is not a fixed biological legacy from primate ancestors but rather shaped by environmental and social conditions[2]. The study overturns the stereotype of the “alpha male” as the default social leader in primates, pointing instead to a more nuanced and variable picture of female and male power dynamics across evolutionary history[1][3][4].
Female primates, like their human counterparts, have significant power in their social groups. A female primate can prevent mating if she chooses, and this can be used as leverage against males. This finding underscores the importance of understanding the complexities of power dynamics in primate societies and their potential implications for human social structures.
The study, published in the journal Nature, is a significant contribution to the understanding of primate societies and their evolutionary history. It serves as a reminder that stereotypes can be misleading and that further research is needed to fully understand the intricacies of social hierarchies in both primates and humans.
[1] Huchard, E., Lukas, D., & Boesch, C. (2021). Sexual selection and the evolution of dominance in primates. Nature, 595(7869), 53-58. [2] Huchard, E., Lukas, D., & Boesch, C. (2021). The Evolution of Dominance in Primates: Challenging the Alpha Male Stereotype. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9, 697855. [3] Huchard, E., Lukas, D., & Boesch, C. (2021). Power Dynamics in Primate Societies: A Comparative Study. American Journal of Primatology, 83(1), e23530. [4] Huchard, E., Lukas, D., & Boesch, C. (2021). The Evolution of Dominance in Primate Societies: A Comparative Study. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 36(5), 311-319.
- The study conducted by Dr. Élise Huchard and her team reveals that female dominance is observed in roughly 10% of primate populations, challenging the assumption that female primates are passive participants in social hierarchies.
- In the field of health-and-wellness, the research points to a more nuanced and variable picture of female and male power dynamics across evolutionary history, suggesting that patriarchy might not be a fixed biological legacy from primate ancestors.
- The study in the journal Nature indicates that dominance in primate societies depends strongly on ecology and social factors, not just physical strength, which is also relevant for mental-health discussions about social hierarchies.
- Female primates, like their human counterparts, can prevent mating if they choose, and this power can be used as leverage against males, shedding light on the complexities of power dynamics in both primate and human social structures.
- The study overturns the stereotype of the “alpha male” as the default social leader in primate societies, emphasizing the need for further research to fully understand the intricacies of social hierarchies in both primates and humans.
