| Abstract: | We previously reviewed the effects of gonadal hormones on the sexual and aggressive behavior of macaques as observed in field, outdoor colony, and laboratory studies. There were consistent similarities between findings from different observational settings, but there were also noteworthy differences which suggested the importance of social and environmental factors in modulating the effects of hormones. We now examine the role of these factors further and consider the extent to which partner preferences, familiarity between individuals, and also dominance rank can affect the behavior of male-female pairs and thereby modify the influences of hormones. The evidence suggests that all these factors are important. Hormone-dependent short-term partner preferences appear to be critical for the formation of consort bonds and to facilitate mating between unfamiliar partners. Socially based partner preferences tend to dampen hormonal influences and may lead to long-term familiarity. Long-term familiarity decreases sexual interactions and may be a proximate mechanism underlying incest avoidance and periodic male troop transfers. Both males and females exhibit mate competition under certain conditions, and their dominance rank can modify sexual and aggressive behavior by either optimizing or reducing hormone-dependent changes. These interaction effects between social and hormonal variables also have relevance for the design and interpretation of laboratory experiments. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
