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Reconciliation and relationship quality in Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis)
Matthew A Cooper1, Irwin S Berntein, Charlotte K Hemelrijk
1Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3966, USA. biomcc@langate.gsu.edu
American Journal of Primatology
|March 18, 2005
Summary
Female Assamese macaques reconcile more with valuable social partners, strengthening social bonds. Male macaques, however, may reconcile for reasons beyond relationship quality, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Primatology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Social Cognition
Background:
- Reconciliation research suggests animals reconcile with valuable social partners.
- This study investigates the relationship-quality hypothesis in Assamese macaques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if reconciliation in Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) occurs primarily between valuable social partners.
- To examine sex differences in the drivers of reconciliation.
Main Methods:
- Focal and ad libitum data collection on reconciliation, grooming, and agonistic aiding.
- Matrix association methods (TauKr correlation) to analyze relationships between reconciliation and social behaviors.
- Assessing approach outcomes following conflict.
Main Results:
- Female macaques reconciled more with partners exhibiting stronger grooming and aiding relationships.
- Aiding support for both aggressor and victim significantly correlated with reconciliation in females.
- No significant correlation between reconciliation and relationship quality was found for males.
Conclusions:
- Female Assamese macaques reconcile with valuable and compatible social partners, supporting the relationship-quality hypothesis.
- The relationship-quality hypothesis was not supported for males, indicating potential alternative reconciliation motivations.