Since no previous unifying theoretical framework existed for viewing the different instances of chimpanzee predatory aggression (i.e., predatory behavior, cannibalism, infanticide, and warfare), the author developed a model for predatory aggression which differentiated the proximate and ultimate causes of predatory aggression, showed how these proximate and ultimate causes are correlated, showed how the ultimate function of any instance of predatory aggression is the solution of an ecological problem (thus contributing to the gene copying success of an individual and his kin), and showed how predatory aggression is likely to appear when any of a variety of combinations of proximal environmental factors causes the benefits of predatory aggression to exceed its costs.The model also helped suggest how developing inter-community and intra-community selection pressures initially made it advantageous for predatory aggression to be used on conspecifics, and how multiple selection pressures brought about the merging of intra-specific and inter-specific aggressive components in chimpanzee killing behavior.Essential to the creation of this model was a theoretical discussion of killing behavior, a survey of chimpanzee behavior and social structure, a survey of the incidence of chimpanzee killing behavior, and a summary of the various hypotheses for the cause and functions of predatory aggression.The author sees this model as an advance over previous explanations of chimpanzees predatory aggression because the model explains the ultimate as well as proximate causes of predatory aggression, it shows how the ultimate function of predatory aggression is to solve ecological problems and contribute to the gene-copying success of an individual and his kin, and it indicates how predatory aggression can link with other types of aggressive behavior patterns depending upon the immediate conditions of the environment.The importance of the preceding study lies in its ability to provide a model for the evolution of conspecific killing in protohominids.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/182939 |
| Date | January 1984 |
| Creators | Nall, Gregory Allen |
| Contributors | Whitemead, Jack M. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | ix, 142 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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