Forms Of Socialisation

Question 1

What are different social behaviours?

Answer 1

• Hierarchies (linear versus complex)
• Maintaining dominance relationships (communication methods used by animals to reduce conflict)
• Agonistic behaviour
• Social bonding and affiliative
  behaviour
• Altruism

Question 2

What is a hierarchy?

Answer 2

A linear hierarchy is one in which each animal is dominated by higher-ranking group members and, in turn, dominates lower-ranking members.
Other types of dominance hierarchies are known in various primates, in herds of ungulates, and in cockroaches.

Question 3

What is maintaining dominant behaviours?

Answer 3

A separate set of behaviours are used to maintain dominance relationships within groups, including behaviours that stabilize ranks (punishment, threats, behavioural asymmetry), as well as signals that provide information about dominance rank (individual identity signals, signals of dominance).

Question 4

What is agonistic behaviour?

Answer 4

Agonistic behaviour is any social behaviour related to fighting.
The term has broader meaning than aggressive behaviour because it includes threats, displays, retreats, placation, conciliation, aggression and submission.

Question 5

What is social bonding?

Answer 5

Animals which live in groups/social structures can develop social bonds. Social bonds can be considered a type of social relationship characterized by frequent and consistent affiliative (non- reproductive) interactions.
Social bonds with conspecifics bring many advantages, also in terms of direct fitness.

Question 6

What is altruism?

Answer 6

benefit other individuals, even to the potential detriment of themselves.
Species with complex social structures like bees, ants and termites provide great examples of biological altruism.