Defining dominance in primates is as complex and multi-layered as the societies of the primates themselves. Dominance is commonly measured by the results of approach-retreat interactions, where one animal approaches another without apparent posture or threatening expression and the approached individual moves away. The direction of aggressive or submissive behaviors in agonistic encounters (Walters & Seyfarth, 1987) is another frequent measure of dominance. De Waal first introduced the concept of formal dominance to classify the ritualized agonistic displays in some species, aimed consistently at one member of a dyad but not shown by the other (e.g. submissive silent-teeth baring in macaques or charging displays as a sign of aggression and dominance in chimpanzees; Preuschoft, 1999). Despite the consistency of formalized displays the outcome of competitive interactions may be influenced by the resource itself and the situational context (e.g. presence of supporters of the lower ranking individual). Dominance can thus be viewed as a dual-layered construct, consisting of formal status indicators that are consistent across multiple contexts and more variable success in competitive situations (Preuschoft).
This website is designed to provide an in-depth look at social dominance using a sample of primate species.
