DOES AFFILIATION REDUCE AGGRESSION IN CAPTIVE CHIMPANZEES?

Chimpanzees are social animals; therefore, when in captivity, they must be socially housed to have opportunities for social interactions with conspecifics. However, research has shown that captive chimpanzees demonstrate higher frequencies of injury resulting from intraspecific aggression. The continued presence of human visitors is also a source of aggression in captivity. Aggression among captive chimpanzees is commonly higher than that found among their wild counterparts. Previous research explains that affiliative behaviors determine relationship value and compatibility, and also reduce aggression. This study will explore if affiliative behaviors—grooming, touching, close spatial proximity, and playing, reduce aggressive encounters—displays, fights, and supplants, in captive chimpanzees