Book Review
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR, 2008, 75, 2049e2050
doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.01.001
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
Book Review
Macachiavellian Intelligence: How Rhesus Macaques and
dominance hierarchies, how alliances can affect social
Humans Have Conquered the World. Edited by DARIO
structure, and the nature of life in a macaque group for
MAESTRIPIERI. Chicago: University of Chicago Press
a ‘high’-ranking individual compared to a ‘low’-ranking
(2007), Pp. 198. Price $25.00.
one. The next chapter, ‘Wars and Revolutions’, takes the
aggression question to a different level, describing situa-
tions in which dominant matrilines are overthrown
Over three decades ago, Humphrey (1976) formulated
within groups and the kinds of aggressive interactions
a new explanation for the cognitive complexity seen in
that occur when two macaque groups come together.
human and nonhuman primates: we inhabit rich and
The chapter ‘Sex and Business’ describes sex in macaque
complicated social worlds that demand substantial in-
groups from the different standpoints of sex for reproduc-
telligence. This intelligence is needed to manage social
tion and as a political behaviour. Politically, females
relationships with members of the groups to which we
appear to engage in sexual behaviour with males to gain
belong. At one point in his seminal chapter, Humphrey
protection (often from males) for themselves and for their
discussed Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe as particularly illustra-
offspring. The next chapter, ‘Parental Investment’, de-
tive of this idea: Crusoe faced many difficult technological
scribes the stressors that face females when they have
problems in staying alive on the deserted island, but by far
successfully reproduced and are now raising offspring.
his most difficult problem solving task arose when Friday
Maestripieri couches the chapter in the framework of the
came into the social picture.
parental investment theory of Trivers, and the discussion
Humphrey’s ideas about the ‘social function of intellect’
touches on a number of behavioural developmental
evolved into today’s ‘Machiavellian intelligence hypothe-
questions, as well as on infant adoption and kidnapping.
sis’ (e.g. Byrne & Whiten 1988). Simply put, to be
‘The Business of Communicating’ describes the key signals
successful in a social group, one needs to interact and
of macaques and how these function to manage the
maintain relationships effectively with group members,
behaviour of group members. Maestripieri focuses on
and doing this well requires sophisticated cognitive
visual signals, primarily facial expressions, but also de-
abilities. Most of the work to test this hypothesis has
scribes some of the vocal signals of the species, explaining
involved great apes, and broader comparative work has
the contexts in which the signals are used and the effects
been needed. One researcher who has provided much of
of these signals on other macaques. The final chapter,
this comparative work is Dario Maestripieri, testing many
‘Macachiavallian Origins of Love and Compassion’, wraps
of the ideas that stem from the Machiavellian intelligence
up several ideas raised throughout the book, detailing the
hypothesis with rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta. His
importance of sex differences in social structure, how
new, cleverly titled book, reviews much of this work, and I
nepotism often drives despotism, and the differences in
highly recommend it.
social structure and social interactions between despotic
After two brief introductory chapters that raise the key
and egalitarian groups. This final chapter also suggests the
issues of the book and provide an overview of macaques,
role of social intelligence in explaining why macaques are
the book comprises seven main chapters. In ‘Nepotism
one of the more successful primate species in the world.
and Politics’, Maestripieri nicely contrasts these two terms
Despite my favourable view of this book, I found some
in macaque life. The social structure of macaque groups is
aspects troubling. Most of the photos (23 black-and-white
largely based on matrilineal lines, so relatedness plays an
figures and seven colour plates) range from good to
enormous role in how individuals interact with one
excellent at illustrating macaque behaviour, but almost
another. On the other hand, individual macaques fre-
all would have benefited from more direct referencing in
quently have to interact with unrelated individuals, so
the text. I found the discussion of representational and
politics becomes crucial: one needs to be deft at managing
nonrepresentational communication to be confusing at
the behaviour of others. Some of the key behavioural
times. Another issue concerns anthropomorphism. Maes-
means by which relationships are managed involve social
tripieri frequently takes pains to describe the difficulties of
grooming and the establishment and maintenance of
attributing conscious strategizing and representation-
dominance hierarchies. The latter point is developed in
based decision making to macaque behaviour, and he
the next chapter, ‘Aggression and Dominance’. Here,
often offers simpler cognitive interpretations. On the
Maestripieri raises the point that aggressive behaviour in
other hand, he too often falls back on language that relies
macaques is often hard to predict, and, after the fact, to
on the very rich interpretation of data that he elsewhere
explain, except perhaps in that macaques need to behave
cautions against. Examples include references to ma-
aggressively to obtain ‘social power’ in their groups. The
caques having first thoughts about sex (page 86), keeping
chapter discusses how matrilineal relationships underlie
mental files on which individuals are afraid of which
2049
0003e3472/08/$34.00/0
Ó 2008 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2050
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR, 75, 6
individuals (page 56), knowing that a daughter was ‘out of
in courses on evolutionary psychology, animal behaviour,
her mind’ for behaving a certain way (page 57) and having
comparative psychology, behavioural ecology and social
low self confidence (page 145).
psychology. Not least, Macachiavellian Intelligence stands as
Macachiavellian Intelligence is written in a lively and
an important introduction to the behaviour and social
frequently conversational way (which may partly explain
intelligence of this interesting species.
the criticism of ‘rich interpretation of language’ just
raised). Maestripieri commonly makes direct and helpful
TODD M. FREEBERG
comparisons between human and macaque behaviour
Department of Psychology and Department of Ecology
and social groups, and often uses his own behaviour,
and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee,
experiences and thoughts to illustrate points. The book is
Knoxville, TN 37996, U.S.A.
also wonderfully concise. At less than 200 pages, and
being reasonably priced, it could be an accessible and
effective teaching tool in a number of undergraduate
courses, and perhaps some specialized high school
References
courses. As a supplementary reading to a primary text-
Byrne, R. & Whiten, A. (Eds) 1988. Machiavellian Intelligence: Social
book, this book raises important ideas and examples that
Expertise and the Evolution of Intellect in Monkeys, Apes, and
could greatly facilitate students’ understanding of funda-
Humans. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
mental topics in animal behaviour such as sex differences
Humphrey, N. K. 1976. The social function of intellect. In: Growing
in behaviour, parental care, communication, aggression
Points in Ethology Growing Points in Ethology (Ed. by P. P. G.
and agonistic behaviour, and social facilitation and learn-
Bateson & R. A. Hinde), pp. 303e317. Cambridge: Cambridge
ing of behaviour. Thus, the book may potentially be useful
University Press.
Document Outline
