Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective01:23

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...
Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences01:28

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
Scientific Nature of Social Psychology01:30

Scientific Nature of Social Psychology

Social psychology is a scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Unlike common sense, which relies on anecdotal experiences and intuition, social psychology employs systematic research and empirical methods to ensure objectivity and reliability. This distinction is fundamental in distinguishing scientifically supported findings from mere speculation.Four fundamental scientific values guide a structured approach to research in...
Social Facilitation01:04

Social Facilitation

Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
Factors Influencing Attraction V: Social Skills01:29

Factors Influencing Attraction V: Social Skills

Social skills play a crucial role in shaping interpersonal interactions and enhancing individuals' ability to navigate various social environments successfully. These skills contribute to personal and professional success, influencing how others perceive and treat individuals. High social skills provide distinct advantages in numerous settings, including romantic relationships, politics, and legal proceedings. In courtroom settings, for instance, defendants who exhibit strong social skills are...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Nonapeptide molecular evolution during the adaptive radiation of Tanganyika cichlids.

Journal of neuroendocrinology·2026
Same author

Sibling number and early interactions shape social competence for life.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Evolutionarily conserved role of oxytocin in zebrafish social reward encoding.

Biology letters·2025
Same author

Task allocation in a cooperative breeder reflects current needs, not early-life experience.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Larger Fish Have Larger Brains With More Neurons Across but Not Within Cohorts Raised in Different Growth Conditions.

The Journal of comparative neurology·2025
Same author

Optimistic and pessimistic cognitive judgement bias modulates the stress response and cancer progression in zebrafish.

Translational psychiatry·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
06:41

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors

Published on: February 25, 2011

Social competence: an evolutionary approach.

Barbara Taborsky1, Rui F Oliveira

  • 1Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Hinterkappelen, Switzerland. barbara.taborsky@iee.unbe.ch

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|October 9, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Social competence, the ability to optimize social behavior using social information, enhances interactions and fitness but is often overlooked. Understanding its evolutionary role requires integrating brain function, development, and ecological trade-offs.

More Related Videos

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
11:13

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test

Published on: November 19, 2015

Social Threat-Safety Test Uncovers Psychosocial Stress-Related Phenotypes
05:03

Social Threat-Safety Test Uncovers Psychosocial Stress-Related Phenotypes

Published on: December 15, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
06:41

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors

Published on: February 25, 2011

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
11:13

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test

Published on: November 19, 2015

Social Threat-Safety Test Uncovers Psychosocial Stress-Related Phenotypes
05:03

Social Threat-Safety Test Uncovers Psychosocial Stress-Related Phenotypes

Published on: December 15, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Behavioral ecology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Social competence, optimizing behavior with social information, enhances fitness.
  • Its evolutionary and ecological significance remains understudied.
  • Social competence relies on behavioral flexibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of social competence.
  • To propose an integrative approach for studying social competence.
  • To explore the neural and developmental underpinnings of social competence and its evolutionary impact.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual framework development.
  • Literature synthesis.
  • Hypothesis generation.

Main Results:

  • Social competence is linked to behavioral flexibility.
  • Developmental history and ecological trade-offs can constrain social competence.
  • Social plasticity influences fitness and can drive social evolution.

Conclusions:

  • An integrative approach is crucial for understanding social competence.
  • Social competence has significant evolutionary implications.
  • Further research should explore the mechanisms and consequences of social competence.