Human Primate Behavior

Running head:
Human Primate Behavior

Darius Niabati
Spring 2015
University of Alaska, Anchorage

Human Primate Behavior

Abstract
As a hominid species, humans have evolved from primitive to social, altruistic creatures as
distinguished by behavioral characteristics.

Human Primate Behavior

The behavior of primates is most closely understood in light of evolutionary theory, as

presented in Darwin's (1859) The Origin of Species, as a valuable adaptation for survival through
mechanisms included of predator avoidance, foraging, cooperation amongst competition,
parenting, and mating (Maestripieri and Kappeler, 2001). Major changes in behavior, from social
and analytical perspectives, are often achieved in response to newly developed cultural strategies,
changes in population, and geographic expansion. Reforms in the utilization of time and space,
materialistic production of expression, cultural development, political growth, and agricultural
refinement attest the evolutionary consequence of primate behavior.
From evidence attained of early hominid ancestors, human evolution has been lead by the
utility of tooth enamel. In conjunction with agricultural growth, enamel development comparable
to humans was first found in Neanderthals and made its way toward tree canopies where the
Great Apes foraged atop through climbing. It is suggested the development of bipedalism
evolved from this alongside vocal tract anatomy, of which the similarities across all parameters
amongst primates cluster. The application of vocal behavior is necessary for survival within the
treetop environment as an essential tool of communication, allowing the organism to inform
members of predators, food, and opportunity.
The change in diet attained through foraging on and above ground amongst the canopy
affords diversification of nourishment, allowing a greater range of possibility for maintaining
individual growth and development. In consequence of a more diverse diet, a more adept
potential for maternal gestation occurs, which is directly correlated to the development an
organism's brain and allows a larger capacity for spatial and energy development. This leads to
increased brain activity and function, to which behavior of an individual organism is directly
related.

Human Primate Behavior

An increase of cognitive function allows a more individualized and selective potential for
sexual reproduction. Rather than following instinct, the individual is able to choose more
conscientiously their mate which leads to a more specified craniofacial development. Lacked by
all Old World monkeys (except the Macaw), the production of the maxillary sinus ensued from
the more individualized reproductive choice of the organism. Oddly, there is very little pattern to
suggest a trend of body size in relation to global temperature and latitude distribution, suggesting
the evolution of primates having stemmed from interpersonal behavior and not environmental
practicality.
The emergence of humans has been distinguished by behavioral characteristics distinct
from those of other primates and mammalians alike. Exhibiting vast complexity within social
organization, social structure, mating systems, rituals and ceremonies, the behavior of humans
evolves from animalistic and primitive to social and altruistic, further differentiating them from
other group-living species. Often living in bisexual groups with typically 3 or less adults, the
ratio of males to females within the group as well as the group size varies by magnitudes,
specific not to geographic location and application of utility, but to culture and preference.
Characteristic of their social organization, most groups are polyandrous, polygynous, and multimale and multi-female.
The mating systems of humans (and primates alike) further complicates their behavior as
being distinguishable by monogamy, polyandry, and polygyny. Within monogamy, each
individual mates with a single other individual, typical of more foundational groups. Polyandry is
specified by one female maintaining sexual relations with multiple males. In spatial polygyny,
agnostically powerful males defend mating access to several females, and in scramblecompetition polygyny, a male searches widely for a female, mates with her, deserts her, and

Human Primate Behavior

searches for another mate, ultimately leading both sexes to mate with multiple partners. Harem
polygyny occurs from a single male defending mating access to several females, and it is the
ability to defend exclusively (to choose) mating access that is a major determinate for mating
systems, which have the greatest influence on social systems.
Primate social systems are categorized into 3 distinctions of interpersonal relationships as
interfemale, intermale, and intersexual. Each relationship is further classified as casual,
evolutionary, and/or correlational. Casual relationships are identified with one aspect of the
relationship imposing direct constraint on the values of the other individual within the
relationship, i.e. a professor/student relationship. Evolutionary relationships are recognized by an
adaptive value of one aspect leading to value in another aspect, i.e. a boyfriend/girlfriend
relationship. Correlational relationships are symbolized by the value of at least 2 aspects
reflecting the effects of another factor, i.e. a sports company sponsoring an athlete. The formation
of group relationships is observable amongst all primates but unique to humans for the
complexity of intention and result of each.
The development of such behavioral relationships, over time, allows for a more unified
application of decision making. While remaining altruistic as individuals, those in groups behave
more as a collective, with the intention of their behaviors aimed toward the overall well-being of
the group the group is 'one' rather than 'many'. From this ideology stems a more solidified bond
between each member of the group, allowing the expansion of their shared beliefs, ideas, and
values as the development of their culture. The development of culture amongst the members of
the group provides an outlet for a more conscientious approach toward group productivity.
Culture connects each member with the other in an intangibly measurable manner that is obvious
in appearance and presentation. It is the ultimate behavior that makes humans so distinctly

Human Primate Behavior

separate from other primates, in their reasoning and rationality, and is what creates the
identification as 'we'. Community results from the group behaving together in synchronization of
activities such as ritualistic burials, archaeological developments, ceremonial practices, and other
communal activities. As the flow of consciousness maintains more readily from the group, the
manifestation of its creativity results as artistic expression and design, on walls, clothing, flesh,
bodies, and in other physical forms. Select geographic areas have ascribed to them their own
intrinsic boundaries, leading to the geographic expansion of one specific culture and its unique
practices and behaviors. As these developments ensue through the continuum of time,
complexity combines with creativity and results in a primitive organism biologically and
physiologically identical to other organisms around itself but that is distinctly separate and
unique in behavior and rationale.
Growing from a biologically-inclined primitive hominid species, humans have evolved to
become highly complex, social creatures of varying intellect and altruistic intent that enables
their distinction from other similar primates. Through the increased application of cultural
strategy and development, population growth, agricultural refinement and utilization of time and
space, people have become socially inclined, altruistic beings amongst their ancestors, relatives,
and kin within the same occupied space. From the complexity of their mating systems, social
systems, and social structures, it is not difficult to identify humans as separate, although
remaining the same, from the other creatures we occupy the world with.

Human Primate Behavior

References

Maestripieri, D., & Kappeler, P. (2001, September 4). Evolutionary Theory and Primate
Behavior. Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://primate.uchicago.edu/2002IJPa.pdf

Worthington, S. and Read, C. (2003), Primate evolution and adaptation. Evol.

Anthropol., 12: 164. doi: 10.1002/evan.10115

Kappeler, P., & Van Schaik, C. (2002). Evolution of Primate Social Systems.International
Journal of Primatology, 23(4).