Personality, that is intra-individual consistency and inter-individual variation in behaviour, is widespread throughout the animal kingdom. This challenges traditional evolutionary assumptions that selection should favour behavioural flexibility, and that variation in behavioural strategies reflects stochastic variation around a single optimal behavioural strategy. Adaptive models to explain personality within the framework of evolutionary and behavioural ecology exist, and are typically empirically explored by identifying proximate associations to, and the functional consequences of, personality expression. To date, such studies have typically quantified a narrow range of personality traits within a species, and focused on captive populations or species with relatively limited behavioural or social repertoires. In this thesis, personality is studied in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Quantification of personality structure in the species was conducted using a multi-method approach, and subsequently, it was examined whether physiological stress response (a proximate association) was related to personality expression, and whether personality expression affected social (functional) outcomes for individuals. Seven personality constructs were identified in Barbary macaques. Three personality constructs were related to physiological stress responses (Excitability, Tactility and Exploration), with the relationship between stress and personality expression dependent on sex, and in some cases rank or age. Two personality constructs (Excitability and Exploration) were associated with measures of social integration. Subjects generally socially assorted themselves according to personality, tending to be in proximity to individuals with a similar personality to themselves. This study contributes methodologically by demonstrating the plausibility of multi-method approaches to measuring personality in wild primates, and empirically, by generating evidence supporting adaptive models for the evolution of personality, namely that intra-individual consistency in behaviour may be mediated by physiology and that inter-individual variation in behaviour has functional benefits in the formation of social relationships and social structures.

This study investigates the influence of dominance, kinship and relationship quality on grooming distribution in female Barbary macaques. Data were collected in free-ranging group of Barbary macaques during two four-month periods. The results demonstrate that all tested factors are important for females choice of grooming partners in given group. Moreover, the relative importance of each variable was evaluated. This approach enables to establish which factor plays the most important role in grooming distribution among female Barbary macaques. The relationship quality had the strongest effect on distribution of grooming interactions among females. In other words females groomed more often and for longer time social partners with whom they have better relationship.

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This study analyzes U.S. relations with the Barbary States from 1784 to 1805. After the American Revolution, the young nation found its commerce menaced in the Mediterranean by North African pirates sponsored by the rulers of Morocco, Tunis, Algiers, and Tripoli. As the U.S. sought to find a solution to end piracy and the practice of paying tributes or ransom to free Americans held captive, Thomas Jefferson proposed several solutions as a diplomat, vice president, and as president when he authorized the Tripolitan War (1801-1805). Thus, this look at U.S. relations with the Barbary States focuses on Jefferson’s evolving foreign policy proposals and argues that William Eaton’s secret mission in 1805 eventually reshaped U.S. policy in the Mediterranean and brought Jefferson’s ideas for a military solution to fruition. This change in policy would soon bring about the end of piracy against U.S. merchant vessels and the nation’s involvement in tributary treaties.

During the early stages of infant development the capacity for perceptual (i.e., visual) discrimination is shaped by infants' perceptual experience. Perceptual narrowing is one process hypothesized to account for developmental change. Perceptual narrowing research often demonstrates that infants before 6 months of age are able to discriminate a wide variety of events whereas infants beyond 6 months of age seemingly "lose" some perceptual abilities. Two investigations are proposed to examine the claim that younger, but not older infants can discriminate faces across species. The purpose of Experiment 1 was to determine whether an increase in familiarization and trial times would result in cross-species facial (i.e. faces of macaques) discrimination in 12-month-olds. The hypothesis was supported, adding evidence that perceptual discrimination becomes more constricted, or less efficient with age, but does not decline. Experiment 2 examined whether reducing both the time of familiarization and comparison time by 50% would allow infants sufficient time to discriminate. Results were consistent with the hypothesis and previous studies were corroborated. These findings highlight the important role of perceptual experience in young infants' perceptual discrimination abilities and provide a greater degree of clarity regarding present use of the concept perceptual narrowing.

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Between 1784 and I8l6, all four Barbary nations had captured and enslaved Americans. Generally the pirates treated the imprisoned Americans harshly, but the aid the United States forwarded to them alleviated much of their suffering. During this period the prisoner issue played an important role in formulating American foreign policy in the Mediterranean because of America's keen commercial interest in that region and its benevolent attitude toward its own citizens. In return, those captive Americans in North Africa supplied their government with valuable intelligence, and, after liberation, some continued to serve their country in the Mediterranean area.

Créée en 1741, la Compagnie royale d’Afrique succède à des compagnies à privilèges qui n’ont connu à Marseille, deux siècles durant, que des déboires dans leurs relations avec les Régences de Barbarie. Or, pendant plus d’un demi-siècle cette nouvelle structure commerciale connaît un réel succès. Avec des représentants installés de manière pérenne essentiellement dans la Régence d’Alger – comptoirs à La Calle, Bône et Collo – elle organise et contrôle dans les eaux barbaresques, comme le fit la première Compagnie du corail au XVIe siècle, la pêche de ce produit apprécié sur la rive nord de la Méditerranée. Cependant, elle a pour tâche première d’assurer la traite des blés afin de participer au bon ravitaillement du royaume, tout en intervenant également sur d’autres marchés. À l’heure où la Méditerranée devient un espace périphérique du commerce mondial, où la pensée économique remet en cause les monopoles commerciaux et où les relations avec les Régences barbaresques tendent à se normaliser, cette Compagnie constitue un bon observatoire pour suivre les pratiques commerciales du second XVIIIe siècle et décrypter les stratégies des hommes qui en ont la direction. Par ailleurs, s’établir et travailler chez l’Autre, avec ses avantages et ses contraintes, invite également à saisir les relations à l’altérité. Aussi, au-delà de l’étude des flux, des routes maritimes, de l’outillage nautique, des produits, des marchés et des hommes – dirigeants ou simples exécutants –, cette recherche, qui mêle les approches quantitative et qualitative, se présente également comme une lecture des pratiques interculturelles entre les différents acteurs des deux rives de la Méditerranée. / Founded in 1741, the French Royal African Company succeeds to exclusive trading companies, which only suffered setbacks in Marseille for two centuries in their relations with the Regencies of Barbary. Yet, for more than half a century, this new commercial structure experienced a real success. With officials durably settled primarily in the Alger Regency – trading stations in El Kala, Annaba and Collo –, the Royal African Company organizes and controls the fishery of coral in the Barbarian maritime territories, just like the first Coral Company did in the 16th century; the coral being a cherished product on the north shore of the Mediterranean Sea. However, the primary task of the Royal African Company is to ensure the trading of wheat in order to contribute to supplying the Kingdom of France and intervene as well on other markets. At the time when the Mediterranean becomes a peripheral area of world trade, when the economic thought calls into question the trading monopolies and when the Barbarian Regencies tend to normalize, this Company represents a good observatory to follow the commercial practices of the second half of the 18th century and analyze the strategies of the leading men. Besides, being established and working in the Other’s home, with its advantages and constraints, invites to understanding the relation to otherness. Thus, beyond the study of flows, sea lanes, nautical equipment, products, markets, and men – be it leaders or simple performers –, this research, blending quantitative and qualitative approaches, can also be presented as a reading of the intercultural practices between the various players on both sides of the Mediterranean.

Le XVIIe siècle a vu l'avènement de la domination des marines anglaise et française. La France et l’Angleterre se sont disputées le contrôle des voies maritimes en Méditerranée qui était alors le coeur stratégique du commerce mondial et de l'approvisionnement, mais également le théâtre de conflits entre les différentes flottes. Il est en effet nécessaire pour contrôler la Méditerranée d'intervenir dans les affaires intérieures des États du bassin méditerranéen, et c'est pour atteindre ce but que les Européens cherchèrent à consolider leurs relations avec l'empire ottoman, qui contrôlait les Régences d’Afrique du Nord, et bien évidemment celles aussi qu’ils entretenaient avec Tripoli. Les relations franco-tripolitaines se sont établies grâce à une activité diplomatique intense, renforcée par les multiples communications entre les deux pays surtout à l’époque de Youssef Pacha où le gouvernement français a joué un rôle important dans la vie politique et économique à Tripoli. La France considérait cette action diplomatique comme un moyen efficace pour maintenir la sécurité de ses navires au large des côtes de cet État, qui était l'un des plus puissants de la Méditerranée durant cette période. Tripoli constituait aussi pour la France un pont pour les échanges commerciaux. Le règne de Youssef Pacha est aussi marqué par un élément qui a valorisé Tripoli aux yeux de la France : la progression des découvertes géographiques en Afrique. La France et l’Angleterre étaient, là aussi, en compétition pour pénétrer à l’intérieur du continent noir à partir de Tripoli. De plus, Tripoli joua un rôle important au cours des conflits entre la France et l’Angleterre, en particulier au moment de l’expédition d’Égypte et pendant les guerres napoléoniennes. Tous ces facteurs ont contribué à la création d'un niveau élevé de relations diplomatiques et économiques entre les deux pays qui se sont construites grâce à un esprit de coopération et en dépit de nombreuses difficultés. / In the 17th century, the seas were dominated by the English and French navies. Just like the English, the French fought to control the Mediterranean sea-routes which represented major strategic world trading routes and they were also the scene of many battles between the different maritime fleets. Quite naturally, in order to control the Mediterranean, a certain level of intervention in the internal affairs of the Mediterranean States was necessary. This led Europeans to seek to strengthen their relations with the Ottoman Empire that controlled the North African Regencies and also Tripoli at the time. Franco-Tripolitanian relations were founded on intense diplomatic efforts and quasi-permanent communication between the two countries, particularly during the reign of Youssef Pacha (most commonly Yusuf Karamanli) and the Tripoli Regency, when the French government played a decisive role in the political situation and economic development of the region. By focusing its activities on diplomatic relations, France considered its incursion as a tool for a Modern state to justify and maintain a fleet off the coast of this state that was, at the time, one of the most powerful in the Mediterranean region. For France, Tripoli was also a gateway for trading activities. Youssef Pacha’s reign was also marked by an element that gave even greater value to Tripoli for the French: the progress made in geographical exploration and discoveries in Africa. Here again, France and England were competing in their exploration of the Dark Continent from Tripoli down. Tripoli also played a key role during the political crises between France and England, particularly during the Napoleonic wars. All the above elements contributed to the creation of high-level diplomatic and economic relations that were built on cooperation, despite certain problems that arose during the period.