Dominance hierarchies in monkeys

Dominance tests were performed on 28–30 month-old male rhesus monkeys, reared from the age of 2 to 4 months under four different conditions of social and perceptual interaction. In tests which matched three Ss (each one from a different rearing and living condition), it was shown that the previously achieved dominance status was the most important and only significant factor which influences the formation of a new dominance hierarchy. When cagemates from one condition were matched with cagemates from the other condition, it was found that weight and the presence of a cagemate are significant determinants of the new dominance hierarchy. Cagemates always seem to act in concert.