Among the primates, the lemurs may be considered as one of the few who have been academically successful. However, studies show that as long as they belong to a large social group, they can make smarter stealing moves as a natural way to survive. It’s similar with those kids in a big city who learned how to be street smart in order to make it through the day.
Researchers initiated the study in order to gain a better understanding on the development of both social and general intelligences among primates. Of course, this would also include humans which are the highest form of primates.
There were previous studies which established that when humans belong to larger groups, they gain a bigger cognitive skill that helps them explore the growing complexities of their environment. Others are saying that belonging to a larger social group would only mean an increase in social intelligence as opposed to intelligence as a whole.
Whatever the truth is, studies from the past clearly show that there’s indeed a connection between the primate’s social group size and its brain size. It leaves an impression that a social group has a direct effect on the brain’s development.
Researchers have decided to probe further on this idea by conducting a study that involved six species of lemurs. Each species comes in varying average group size. The Lemur catta was the largest group with an average of 15.6 members while the Eulemur was the smallest with an average of three members.
Two humans were used as part of the test. While both would be holding trays of grape leaves, one would be facing the food and the other would be facing against it. The larger-grouped lemurs responded by grabbing the food from the person whose back is turned as opposed to the one who is facing at them with the food in front. The primates were using the so-called social cues which helped them discern the ease of stealing food when they are sure that no one is watching them.
The study suggests that a species’ group size has a direct implication on its social and cognitive skills. It aids them in competing with others as it requires them to perform decision-making as well.
The study was published in the online journal PLOS ONE.
