Diss. Alnarp : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2004.

Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2003.

Diss. (sammanfattning). Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Licentiatavhandling Stockholm : Tekn. högsk., 2005.

Diss. Stockholm : Stockholms universitet, 2005.

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In the following thesis I examine the possible evolutionary significance of behavioural differences associated with liberal and conservative ideological orientations. In investigating the evolutionary significance of these two orientations I have two primary research questions. First, how do liberal and conservative oriented individuals differ in their responses to the same socio-environmental stimuli? Second, do differences in their responses to socio-environmental stimuli represent alternative behavioural strategies for social interaction, specifically adaptive strategies to maximize returns from social interactions? To answer these research questions I evaluate how trust and cooperation among liberal and conservative oriented individuals are affected by conditions of social change and inequality. Previous research finds that attitudes and behaviours consistent with the tolerance or intolerance of social change and inequality are strong predictors of ideological orientation across a liberal-conservative scale. Based on a synthesis of behavioural research I construct two theoretical frameworks to account for the adaptive utility associated with a sensitivity to social change and inequality; 1) The Group Reciprocity Hypothesis, and 2) The Social Risk Hypothesis. I test these frameworks using an experimental research design. I predict that, if liberal and conservative orientations are reflective of alternative adaptive strategies to maximize returns from social interaction, then the willingness of liberal and conservative individuals to participate in a social interaction should be differentially affected by conditions related to social change and inequality.

This master thesis contains detailed description of the elements of Günthers?s vole social behaviour, from agonistic, investigative, and amicable, to reproductive behaviour. Each of the observed behavioural elements is put into context, interpreted, and compared with behaviour reported from other vole or rodent species. The resulting ethogram will be helpful in future ethological studies of this species.