The power of social structure: how we became an intelligent lineage

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Resendes de Sousa António ◽  
Dirk Schulze-Makuch
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
New World ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Great Apes ◽  
Male Competition ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Social Stability ◽  
New Findings ◽  
The Social

AbstractNew findings pertinent to the human lineage origin (Ardipithecus ramidus) prompt a new analysis of the extrapolation of the social behavior of our closest relatives, the great apes, into human ‘natural social behavior’. With the new findings it becomes clear that human ancestors had very divergent social arrangements from the ones we observe today in our closest genetic relatives.The social structure of chimpanzees and gorillas is characterized by male competition. Aggression and the instigation of fear are common place. The morphology of A. ramidus points in the direction of a social system characterized by female-choice instead of male–male competition. This system tends to be characterized by reduced aggression levels, leading to more stable arrangements. It is postulated here that the social stability with accompanying group cohesion propitiated by this setting is favorable to the investment in more complex behaviors, the development of innovative approaches to solve familiar problems, an increase in exploratory behavior, and eventually higher intelligence and the use of sophisticated tools and technology.The concentration of research efforts into the study of social animals with similar social systems (e.g., New World social monkeys (Callitrichidae), social canids (Canidae) and social rodents (Rodentia)) are likely to provide new insights into the understanding of what factors determined our evolution into an intelligent species capable of advanced technology.

scholarly journals Życie międzynarodowe rzeczy. Przedmioty luksusu i codziennego użytku w społecznej historii stosunków międzynarodowych

2018 ◽  
pp. 7-34
Author(s):  
Andrzej GAŁGANEK
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Social History ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Social World ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Prestige Goods ◽  
The Social ◽  
Uneven And Combined Development ◽  
History Of

The paper discusses the potential of objects, broadly understood luxury ‘items’ and necessities, in order to present uneven and combined development as the foundation of the social history of international relations. The author evidences that this approach to ‘objects’ allows us to achieve, at the very least, the following: (1) to observe the single social world which emerges after the division into ‘internal’ and ‘international’ is rejected; (2) to ‘touch’ the international outside the realm that the science of international relations usually associates with international politics; (3) to examine the social history of international relations, abandoning the approach that dominates in traditional historiography where production processes are privileged over consumption processes; (4) to demonstrate how human activities create internationalism. Discussing apparently different processes related to the international life of broadly understood ‘objects’, such as African giraffes, Kashmiri shawls, silk, the importance of English items for the inhabitants of Mutsamudu, or the opera Madame Butterfly the author identifies similar patterns which, although sometimes concealed, demonstrate the consequences of uneven and combined development for the social history of international relations. Prestige goods express affluence, success and power. They are usually objects manufactured from imported raw materials or materials, with limited distribution, which require a significant amount of labor or advanced technology to create. In contrast to everyday necessities, owing to their high value, prestige goods are exchanged over long distances through networks established by the elite. The analysis of manufacturing, exchange and social contexts related to prestige goods constitutes a significant source for understanding the social history of international relations. The examples in the paper present control over these goods as a source of political power. The control of raw materials, production and distribution of prestige goods is perceived as key to maintaining hierarchical social systems. Objects are inescapably related to ideas and practices. Uneven and combined development leads to meetings between people and objects, either opening or closing the space, allowing for their transfer and domestication, or rejection and destruction respectively. Concentration on the analyses of objects outside of modernization models or comparisons between civilizations and the conscious narrowing of perspective offers a tool with a heuristic potential which is interesting in the context of international relations. Comparative observation of objects (‘single’ elements of reality) via cultures undergoing uneven and combined development protects us from historiographic western exceptionalism. It also shows that the division between the ‘internal’ and ‘international’ unjustifiably splits the social world and makes it impossible to understand.

scholarly journals Genetic relatedness delineates the social structure of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 948-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Diaz-Aguirre ◽  
Guido J Parra ◽  
Cecilia Passadore ◽  
Luciana Möller
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
The Social ◽  
Modularity Analysis ◽  
Network Metrics

AbstractSocial relationships represent an adaptive behavioral strategy that can provide fitness benefits to individuals. Within mammalian societies, delphinids are known to form diverse grouping patterns and show a variety of social systems. However, how ecological and intrinsic factors have shaped the evolution of such diverse societies is still not well understood. In this study, we used photo-identification data and biopsy samples collected between March 2013 and October 2015 in Coffin Bay, a heterogeneous environment in South Australia, to investigate the social structure of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops cf. australis). Based on the data from 657 groups of dolphins, we used generalized affiliation indices, and applied social network and modularity methods to study affiliation patterns among individuals and investigate the potential presence of social communities within the population. In addition, we investigated genetic relatedness and kinship relationships within and between the communities identified. Modularity analysis revealed that the Coffin Bay population is structured into 2 similar sized, mixed-sex communities which differed in ranging patterns, affiliation levels and network metrics. Lagged association rates also indicated that nonrandom affiliations persisted over the study period. The genetic analyses suggested that there was higher relatedness, and a higher proportion of inferred full-sibs and half-sibs, within than between communities. We propose that differences in environmental conditions between the bays and kinship relationships are important factors contributing to the delineation and maintenance of this social structure.

scholarly journals KRIMINALISASI SOSIOLOGIS NIKAH SIRI

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwan Zaenul Fuad ◽  
Agus Fakhrina ◽  
Abdul Azis ◽  
Ahmad Rosyid
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Living Condition ◽  
People Participation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Labelling Theory ◽  
The City ◽  
Law Making

However, Nikah Siri (unregistered marital) has been seen asa part of the social behavior, and lived in Indonesian society. Thisbehavior often impact living condition of social structure. In anotherside, this social problem must be fixed with appropriate law-makingsystem. The Act Plan of “Hukum Peradilan Agama Bidang Perkawinan”(RUU HPABP) was noted in commitment to criminalize the behavior.Some sounds of pro and anti toward this Act Plan nowadays, makethis issues more interesting be reseacrhed. Applying symbolicinteractionism approach and labelling theory, this study examined thecriminalization issues on the Act Plan in social framework. The frameworkis critical to assume the effectiveness of law making processbased on people participation. This research took place in PekalonganDistrict (the City and Regency of Pekalongan), which is noted for the‘hidden’ large number of nikah siri practices. Results of the study revealedthe social criminalization of Nikah Siri akin to kinds of people’sperception toward the behavior. The hidden types of Nikah Siri(hidden from people’s knowledge) had an effect on social constructionto criminalize the behavior, but not the open one

scholarly journals Dopamine pathway is highly diverged in primate species that differ markedly in social behavior

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (22) ◽  
pp. 6178-6181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Bergey ◽  
Jane E. Phillips-Conroy ◽  
Todd R. Disotell ◽  
Clifford J. Jolly
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Complex Traits ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Social Behaviors ◽  
System Structure ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mating Opportunities ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Genomic Regions

In the endeavor to associate genetic variation with complex traits, closely related taxa are particularly fruitful for understanding the neurophysiological and genetic underpinnings of species-specific attributes. Similarity to humans has motivated research into nonhuman primate models, yet few studies of wild primates have investigated immediate causal factors of evolutionarily diverged social behaviors. Neurotransmitter differences have been invoked to explain the distinct behavioral suites of two baboon species in Awash, Ethiopia, which differ markedly in social behavior despite evolutionary propinquity. With this natural experiment, we test the hypothesis that genomic regions associated with monoamine neurotransmitters would be highly differentiated, and we identify a dopamine pathway as an outlier, highlighting the system as a potential cause of species-specific social behaviors. Dopamine levels and resultant variation in impulsivity were likely under differential selection in the species due to social system structure differences, with either brash or circumspect social behavior advantageous to secure mating opportunities depending on the social backdrop. Such comparative studies into the causes of the behavioral agendas that create and interact with social systems are of particular interest, and differences in temperament related to boldness and associated with dopamine variation likely played important roles in the evolution of all social, behaviorally complex animals, including baboons and humans.

scholarly journals IDENTITAS SOSIAL DAN KEARIFAN LOKAL PADA KUMPULAN CERPEN CELURIT HUJAN PANAS KARYA ZAINUL MUTTAQIN [Social Identity and Local Wisdom in The Collection of Short Stories Celurit Hujan Panas By Zainul Muttaqin]

TOTOBUANG ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-313
Author(s):  
Bayu Suta Wardianto
Keyword(s):  
Short Stories ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Social Identity ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Cultural Background ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Note Taking ◽  
The Social

Social society and socio-culture cannot be separated from each other. Therefore, literature was born as a product of society and culture. From these literary works, literary teaching materials with social and cultural background can be made. This study explains the social identity and local wisdom contained in the collection of Celurit Hujan Panas short stories by Zainul Muttaqin. In this study, the method used is the quality desriptive method. The data used comes from quotes on a collection of short stories of Celurit Hujan Panas. This research used listening and note-taking techniques. Research data analysis started from presenting the data, reducing the data, and analyzing conclusions. The results of this study show that the social identity contained in the story are namely (1) social structure, (2) social behavior, and (3) ontological definitions. Moreover, the values of local wisdom contained in the story are (1) culture, (2) beliefs, and (3) social values. Sosial masyarakat dan sosial budaya tidak bisa dipisahkan satu sama lain. Karena itulah, sastra lahir sebagai produk dari sosial dan budaya. Dari karya sastra tersebut, dapat dibuat bahan ajar sastra berlatar sosial dan budaya. Penelitian ini menjelaskan tentang identitas sosial dan kearifan lokal yang terkandung dalam kumpulan cerpen Celurit Hujan Panas karya Zainul Muttaqin. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu metode deksriptif kualititatif. Data yang digunakan berasal dari kutipan pada kumpulan cerpen Celurit Hujan Panas. Penelitian menggunakan teknik simak dan catat. Analisis data penelitian dimulai dari menyajikan data, mereduksi data, dan kesimpulan analisis. Penelitian ini menunjukkan hasil bahwa identitas sosial yang terkandung yaitu (1) struktur sosial, (2) tingkah laku sosial, dan (3) definisi ontologis. Nilai kearifan lokal yang terkandung adalah (1) nilai budaya, (2) kepercayaan, dan (3) nilai sosial. 

Space and Molecular Human in the Process of Social Systems Digital Transformation in Belarus and Russia

2021 ◽  
pp. 84-97
Author(s):  
Andrey V. Kolesnikov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Computer Model ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Social System ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Unknown Object ◽  
Main Factor

To develop a strategy for building the Union State of Russia and Belarus’ better future, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms and identify the main causes that govern the dynamics of this complex and specifi c social system. As the main factor determining the social dynamics of a given civilization cluster, we consider the competition of two basic sociotypes. They are conditionally designated as a molecular man and a space man. A molecular person is a consumer whose social behavior is based on the power of the selfi sh gene and consumer society’s ideals. A space person is passionate, driven by the creative imperative of cognition and synthesis of culture. In our opinion, it is this fundamental confl ict that forms the social dynamics of the civilization cluster of the Union State. The scenario of its future development will depend on the resolution of this confl ict. In order to better understand this process, we have developed a cellular-automate computer model of competition between the two sociotypes in the framework of a unifi ed social system. This computer model can be considered as a simplifi ed cognitive proto-construct of the social system dynamics. By examining it, one can transfer the properties and features of its behavior to an unknown object under study - a society.

scholarly journals Speculations on the Evolutionary Origins of System Justification

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 147470491876534 ◽  
Author(s):  
John T. Jost ◽  
Robert M. Sapolsky ◽  
H. Hannah Nam
Keyword(s):  
Social Economic ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
System Justification ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Social Stability ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
System Justification Theory ◽  
Evolutionary Origins ◽  
The Social

For centuries, philosophers and social theorists have wondered why people submit voluntarily to tyrannical leaders and oppressive regimes. In this article, we speculate on the evolutionary origins of system justification, that is, the ways in which people are motivated (often nonconsciously) to defend and justify existing social, economic, and political systems. After briefly recounting the logic of system justification theory and some of the most pertinent empirical evidence, we consider parallels between the social behaviors of humans and other animals concerning the acceptance versus rejection of hierarchy and dominance. Next, we summarize research in human neuroscience suggesting that specific brain regions, such as the amygdala and the anterior cingulate cortex, may be linked to individual differences in ideological preferences concerning (in)equality and social stability as well as the successful navigation of complex, hierarchical social systems. Finally, we consider some of the implications of a system justification perspective for the study of evolutionary psychology, political behavior, and social change.

scholarly journals Pathways of information transmission among wild songbirds follow experimentally imposed changes in social foraging structure

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 20160144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh A. Firth ◽  
Ben C. Sheldon ◽  
Damien R. Farine
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
New Information ◽  
The Social ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Social Learning Strategies

Animals regularly use information from others to shape their decisions. Yet, determining how changes in social structure affect information flow and social learning strategies has remained challenging. We manipulated the social structure of a large community of wild songbirds by controlling which individuals could feed together at automated feeding stations (selective feeders). We then provided novel ephemeral food patches freely accessible to all birds and recorded the spread of this new information. We demonstrate that the discovery of new food patches followed the experimentally imposed social structure and that birds disproportionately learnt from those whom they could forage with at the selective feeders. The selective feeders reduced the number of conspecific information sources available and birds subsequently increased their use of information provided by heterospecifics. Our study demonstrates that changes to social systems carry over into pathways of information transfer and that individuals learn from tutors that provide relevant information in other contexts.

Habitat use by western black widow spiders (Latrodectus hesperus) in coastal British Columbia: evidence of facultative group living

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxence Salomon ◽  
Samantha Vibert ◽  
Robert G. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Social Evolution ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Black Widow ◽  
Latrodectus Hesperus ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Coastal British Columbia

Animal social systems come in a wide range of forms characterized by different types of group-living relationships. Species that express facultative group-living behaviours, where individuals only associate under certain conditions or at certain times, are especially interesting for studying social evolution. We investigated the social structure of the western black widow spider ( Latrodectus hesperus Chamberlin and Ivie, 1935) over 5 years in a coastal British Columbia habitat, and present the first comprehensive evidence of facultative group living in the genus Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805. Latrodectus hesperus have a flexible social structure that varies seasonally, wherein individuals (mostly females) either form groups or live solitarily. In the fall and early winter, females spontaneously form groups of 2–8 individuals, but live alone during the oviposition season in the spring and summer. When living in groups spiders share large webs and are tolerant of each other, although they appear to forage individually. We also report on the relationships between different ecological factors and the social structure of L. hesperus, including the interaction of these spiders with two co-occurring species of introduced spiders ( Tegenaria agrestis (Walckenaer, 1802) and Tegenaria duellica Simon, 1875). Our findings suggest that L. hesperus is a good model system with which to explore the mechanisms involved in the evolution of sociality.

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