Fission-fusion dynamics new research frameworks Article

Aureli, F, Schaffner, CM, Boesch, C et al. (2008). Fission-fusion dynamics new research frameworks . CURRENT ANTHROPOLOGY, 49(4), 627-654. 10.1086/586708

cited authors

  • Aureli, F; Schaffner, CM; Boesch, C; Bearder, SK; Call, J; Chapman, CA; Connor, R; Di Fiore, A; Dunbar, RIM; Peter Henzi, S; Holekamp, K; Korstjens, AH; Layton, R; Lee, P; Lehmann, J; Manson, JH; Ramos-Fernandez, G; Strier, KB; Van Schaik, CP

authors

abstract

  • Renewed interest in fission-fusion dynamics is due to the recognition that such dynamics may create unique challenges for social interaction and distinctive selective pressures acting on underlying communicative and cognitive abilities. New frameworks for integrating current knowledge on fission-fusion dynamics emerge from a fundamental rethinking of the term "fission- fusion" away from its current general use as a label for a particular modal type of social system (i.e., "fission-fusion societies"). Specifically, because the degree of spatial and temporal cohesion of group members varies both within and across taxa, any social system can be described in terms of the extent to which it expresses fission-fusion dynamics. This perspective has implications for socioecology, communication, cognitive demands, and human social evolution. © 2008 by The Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research. All rights reserved.

publication date

  • August 1, 2008

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 627

end page

  • 654

volume

  • 49

issue

  • 4