2026/07/02 by Peter M. Kappeler · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Cohesion (chemistry) #Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation #Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior #Function (biology) #Group cohesiveness #Inclusive fitness #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior #Perspective (graphical) #Social animal #Social group #Social order #Social structure #Social system
paper · doi:10.1111/eth.70090
published in Ethology (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2026/07/02 · openalex created_date 2026/07/04 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
ABSTRACT For over a century, the evolution of social system diversity has been a key focus in the fields of behavior, ecology, evolution, and the social sciences. Unlike many previous studies, which focused on the costs and benefits of evolutionary transitions to pairs or groups, the present paper explores the behavioral mechanisms that mitigate the ensuing costs. Maintaining spatial cohesion is necessary for individuals to reap the benefits of associating with conspecifics. However, this association creates unavoidable costs that promote internal strife and centrifugal forces that drive groups apart. The present review focuses on the behavioral mechanisms that mitigate this trade‐off. First, I review features of the three main categories of social systems to identify the emergence and nature of the costs of association. To further differentiate this perspective, I emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the processes that trigger and maintain the evolution of non‐solitary systems. In the subsequent section, I summarize the mechanisms by which animal pairs and groups maintain cohesion and social stability. Social order is a foundational concept in the social sciences that describes how unavoidable internal conflict among selfish individuals disrupts social stability. In the final section, I review the factors impacting social order in animals, as well as the fitness consequences of these perturbations, underscoring their evolutionary importance. I argue that behavioral homogeneity among group members serves to enhance social order and can be based on various mechanisms, including social norms. Thus, this broad comparative evaluation offers a novel perspective on the evolutionary roots of a significant component of human social behavior and identifies several novel avenues for future research on the evolution of social systems.