Extra Credit Critical Thinking Questions

Chapter 8 #1: Do you thinking that knowing about aggression between groups of chimpanzees is useful in understanding conflicts between human societies? Why or why not?
Answer: For many primate species, especially those whos ranges are small, contact with one or more other groups of conspecifics is a daily occurrence; and the nature of these encounters can vary from one species to another. Primate groups are associated with a home range, where they remain permanently. Within the home range is called a portion called the core area. This area contains the highest concentration of predictable resources, and it is where the group is most likely to be found. Although portions of the home range may overlap with that of one or more other groups, core areas of adjacent groups do not overlap. The core area can also be said to be a group’s territory, and it is the portion of the home range defended against intrusion. In some species, however, other areas of the home range may also be offended. Not all primates are territorial. In general, territoriality is associated with species whose ranges are sufficiently small to permit patrolling and protection. But male chimpanzees are highly intolerant of unfamiliar chimpanzees, especially other males, and fiercely defend their territories and resources. Therefore, chimpanzee intergroup interactions almost always include aggressive displays, chasing, and sometimes fighting. In recent years, a good deal of attention has been focused on lethal attacks by male coalitions on other chimpanzees. Such attacks occur when a number of individuals attack and sometimes kill one or two others who may or may not be members of the same group. Lethal aggression is relatively common between groups of chimpanzees, and it is also been reported for red colobus monkeys; spider monkeys, although no actual