ABSTRACT

My main concern in this chapter is the basis for the genera] tendency in adults of most primate species to protect infant conspecifics. This protection appears to be grounded in age-differentiation, a phenomenon seen in the social interactions of many animal species, including all primates. The developmental events that specify age level are thus important modifiers of social relations and social cognition. These events alter the capacities and potential of a developing orga­ nism and are commonly accompanied by changes in the way the organism influences others.