Aggression and conflict resolution Flashcards
When is conflict inevitable
When resources are limited
What strategies are involved with escalation of conflict?
Signals: informing opponent of intentions
Actions: violence e.g biting
What strategies are involved with the de-escalation of conflict?
Signals of affiliation/submission
Actions such as grooming
Define aggression
A suite of behaviours allowing an individual to convey strength to or physically defeat a conspecific
What is the goal of conflict resolution?
To maximise resources while minimising energy expenditure (therefore always try signals first)
How are dominance hierarchies established?
- Repeated interactions
- Outcome of signal exchange/fights
- Learn by watching
What is the definition of a dominance hierarchy?
A form of social relationship that ranks individuals in terms of the access that they have to resources, with dominant animals having preferential access over subordinate ones
What are the two types of dominance hierarchies?
linear (transitive) or non-linear (intransitive)
How does order learning differ in birds with different numbers of social groups?
Pinyon jays (larger groups) perform better
What neural correlates are linked to learning hierarchies/orders?
- Hippocampus/ parahippocampal gyrus
- PFC (implicated in planning/decisions)
- Intraparietal sulscus (IPS)
What is the definition of a signal/display?
A form of communication aimed at advertising fighting
ability (intrasexual competition) and mate reproductive quality (mate attraction)
What are the characteristics of signals?
- Can be due to phylogenetic ritualisation
- Hard to fake
- Can be dual function (attract mates and repel opposition)
- Individual selection not group selection!
What does throat patch size indicate in sparrows?
Larger throat patch indicates higher testosterone levels, higher rank and larger territories
Which hormones are indicated in signals?
- Testosterone
- Progesterone
- Norapeptides such as oxytocin (social bonds)
- Seretonin (modulates aggression, however increases it in invertebrates)
When can conflict get ‘out of hand’?
- When contestants are evenly (signals don’t suggest a winner)
- When there is a large benefit
- When cost is small
