3.6 Social behaviour

• Name the three behaviours that can be seen in social groups.

  -Social hierarchy

  -Co-operative

  -Social defence
• What is meant by a social hierarchy ?

  Ranking of individuals or groups based on social status. Groups have dominant and subordinate animals.
• Name the types of behaviours carried out by dominant and subordinate animals in a social group.

  •Dominant animals: Ritualistic displays

  •Subordinate animals: appeasement behaviour.
• Describe the benefits of social hierarchy.

  Reduces conflict and increases chances of the dominant animals favourable genes being passed onto offspring, making the population more likely to survive.
• Describe the benefits of co-operative hunting.

  •Animals gain more food

  •Less energy is used per individual

  •Larger prey can be caught

  •Increased chance of success
• Describe the two ways that social defence can be seen in groups of animals.

  •Some individuals can watch for predators whilst others can forage for food.

  •Groups can adopt specialised formations when under attack, protecting their young, e.g. musk oxen.
• What is meant by an altruistic behaviour?

  When an animal will harm themselves (the donor) in order to benefit another individual (recipient) of the group. This i more common of the donor and recipient are related.
• Explain how kin selection would benefit the donor animal.

  The donor will benefit in terms of the increased chances of survival of shared genes in the recipients offspring or future generations.
• Give examples of social insects.

  •Bees

  •Wasps

  •Ants

  •Termites
• In social insects, which animals are involved in reproduction?

  Queen and drones.
• Defective four roles performed by sterile worker insects.

  •Co-operate with close relatives to raise relatives

  •Defending the hive

  •Collecting pollen

  •Carrying out waggle dances
• Why is it important that primates have long periods of parental care?

  This allows time for them to learn complex social behaviours.
• Describe the purpose of ritualistic display and appeasement behaviour in primates.

  They support the social hierarchy as they reduce conflict.
• Give examples of behaviours involved in ritualistic display and appeasement behaviour in primates.

  •Grooming

  •body posture

  •Facial expressions

  •Sexual presentation
• Why do animals often form alliances in social hierarchies?

  To increase their social status.
• How does the donor benefit in kin selection?

  The survival chance of shared genes are increased in the recipients offspring.
• What is reciprocal altruism?

  The reversal of the roles of donor and recipient.
• What are most members of a colony?

  sterile workers (female)
• Why do workers work with close relatives?

  To raise relatives, increasing the survival of shared genes (kin selection)