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Behavioural and physiological plasticity in social hierarchies
T M Milewski1, W Lee1, F A Champagne1
1Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Summary
Social dominance influences behavior, physiology, and neural function. Both dominant and subordinate animals display adaptive changes, but these can pose long-term health challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Ecology
- Physiology
Background:
- Social hierarchies create distinct dominant and subordinate roles.
- These roles are associated with significant differences in behavior, physiology, and neural activity.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for comprehending social dynamics and health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the neural and physiological plasticity associated with social dominance and subordination.
- To explore the biobehavioral and phenotypic changes in dominant and subordinate individuals.
- To examine the adaptive and potentially detrimental consequences of these changes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on social dominance hierarchies.
- Analysis of behavioral, physiological, and neural data across species.
- Examination of changes in energy metabolism, hormonal axes, and gene expression.
Main Results:
- Dominant individuals exhibit increased dominance behaviors, reproductive activity, and cognitive functions.
- Subordinate individuals show inhibited dominance and reproductive behaviors, with physiological adaptations to social stress.
- Both rank ascent and descent are linked to dynamic neural and peripheral modulations.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral and phenotypic changes in social hierarchies involve significant neural and physiological plasticity.
- While adaptive in the short term, these changes can lead to long-term health issues.
- Social rank dynamics necessitate continuous adaptation in brain and body systems.
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