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Related Experiment Videos

Evolution of coalitionary killing.

R W Wrangham1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Peabody Museum Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.

American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|December 22, 1999
PubMed
Summary
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Intergroup coalitional killing, or lethal raiding, occurs in species like chimpanzees and wolves, not just humans. The imbalance-of-power hypothesis explains this behavior as a drive for dominance when conflict is low-risk.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Primatology

Background:

  • Warfare has historically been viewed as a uniquely human behavior.
  • Evidence indicates coalitional killing of neighboring groups occurs in other species, such as wolves and chimpanzees.
  • This suggests selection may favor components of intergroup aggression, including lethal raiding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the imbalance-of-power hypothesis as the principal adaptive explanation for intergroup coalitional killing.
  • To explore the evolutionary basis of lethal raiding and its distribution across species.
  • To discuss empirical and theoretical criticisms of the hypothesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing evidence on intergroup aggression and coalitional killing.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Presentation of the imbalance-of-power hypothesis, outlining necessary and sufficient conditions.
  • Discussion of criticisms and future research directions.

    • Main Results:

    • The imbalance-of-power hypothesis posits that coalitional killing is driven by a desire for dominance over neighbors.
    • Two conditions are necessary and sufficient: intergroup hostility and a significant power imbalance allowing attacks with impunity.
    • Selection favors lethal raiding when costs are low, supporting a hunt-and-kill propensity in chimpanzees and humans.

    Conclusions:

    • Coalitional killing is not exclusive to humans and has deep evolutionary roots.
    • The imbalance-of-power hypothesis provides a framework for understanding the evolution of lethal raiding.
    • Further research on proximate determinants of aggression is needed to fully test the hypothesis.