• DOI:10.1016/S0003-3472(83)80222-X
• Corpus ID: 53201887

A model for the evolution of despotic versus egalitarian societies

@article{Vehrencamp1983AMF,
  title={A model for the evolution of despotic versus egalitarian societies},
  author={Sandra L. Vehrencamp},
  journal={Animal Behaviour},
  year={1983},
  volume={31},
  pages={667-682}
}

• S. Vehrencamp
• Published 1 August 1983
• Biology
• Animal Behaviour

Abstract I present an optimization model that defines some conditions under which group-living and cooperating individuals interact in a despotic versus and egalitarian manner. The model assumes that dominants within groups can bias resources or fitness in their favour to the limits established by the subordinates' options outside the group. Ecological factors, such as the cost of dispersing and relative benefit of group living compared to solitary living, determine the subordinates' options and greatly affect the degree of bias the dominant can impose. The degree of relatedness among group members also has a large impact on the degree of bias. To determine whether groups should be composed of relatives or non-relatives, a second optimization analysis eeks the best biasing and dispersal strategy from the point of view of a dominant individual. Specific sets of conditions favour the evolution of the following kinds of behaviour within the societies: (1) solitary living or non-cooperation, (2) egalitarian cooperation among relatives, (3) despotic cooperation among relatives, (4) egalitarian cooperation among non-relatives, and (5) despotic cooperation among non-relatives. The model provides insights into the interactions between a basic behavioural process, i.e. dominance, and ecological contexts in determining aspects of population structure such as group size, dispersal pattern, group composition, and fitness bias within groups. I list three examples of animal societies with different degrees of bias which closely fit the predictions of the model.