‘Wild Diplomacy’ - Conflict Resolution in Non-Human Primates

Life in groups is characterized by cooperation and conflict. There are a number of strategies to ensure that disputes do not permanently damage social relationships - even in non-human primates.

In this talk, Academy Vice President Julia Fischer presents various forms of conflict management in primates. Of particular importance are “reconciliations” - the exchange of positive social signals, brief touches, hugs and social affection that take place immediately after a conflict. The form of reconciliation varies from species to species and depends not only on the type of cohabitation - the social system - but also on the intensity of the conflict and the value of the social relationship. Animals also pursue dispute resolution and assistance after a conflict, as well as other individual resolution strategies. Conflict resolution in great apes is generally aimed at repairing relationships between animals, as these have a direct and indirect survival value. However, the large differences in conflict resolution between species also show how much post-conflict behavior is shaped by social form.

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