Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Table of Contents - 2001 - Volume 24, Issue 02  

Short Communication

Primate cultural worlds: Monkeys, apes, and humans

Frank E. Poirier a1 and Lori J. Fitton a1
a1 Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 poirier.1@osu.edufitton.1@osu.edu

Abstract

Monkeys and apes, inhabiting variable environments and subjected to K-selection, exhibit cultural behavior transmitted horizontally and vertically, like cetaceans. Behaviors enhancing better health and nutrition, predator avoidance, or mate selection, can affect differential reproduction.Furthermore, dominance hierarchies and social status not only affect the transmission and acceptance of new behaviors but they may also affect genetic inheritance.