March 30, 2026 | By Patricia McConnell, PhD
For decades, the study of animal behavior was framed by a singular, rigid narrative: nature is "red in tooth and claw," a brutal hierarchy defined by aggression, male dominance, and the survival of the strongest. This worldview, deeply embedded in primatology and evolutionary biology, dictated how we interpreted everything from primates in the wild to the family dog in our living rooms.
However, during Women’s History Month, it is essential to look back at the radical intellectual shift that dismantled these myths. While the public is familiar with the "Trimates"—Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas—whose field work changed our relationship with our closest evolutionary relatives, two other scientists, Dr. Jeanne Altmann and Dr. Shirley Strum, fundamentally rewired our understanding of social structure. By shifting the focus from dominance to cooperation, they didn’t just change primatology; they changed the way we view the social fabric of the natural world.
The Methodology Revolution: Dr. Jeanne Altmann and Focal Sampling
To understand the scope of the shift, one must look at how science was conducted before the 1970s. For years, researchers utilized a method known as "ad libitum" sampling. In this approach, observers would record behaviors as they happened—a practice that, in a male-dominated field, inadvertently favored the dramatic.
When researchers are primed to look for "action," they inevitably focus on aggressive displays, territorial skirmishes, and alpha-male posturing. Because male primates were often the most visible participants in these high-stakes, violent interactions, the scientific literature became a feedback loop of male-centric dominance theories.
Dr. Jeanne Altmann, a brilliant mathematician and primatologist, identified this as a critical scientific flaw. She argued that "ad lib" sampling produced inherently biased data. To correct this, she pioneered "focal sampling"—a rigorous method where a researcher selects one individual and tracks every action they take for a set, predetermined period.
The Impact of Precision
The results were revolutionary. When Altmann applied focal sampling to baboon troops, the "dramatic" male conflicts stopped dominating the data. Instead, the nuanced, complex lives of females and the constant, quiet, and essential work of social cooperation emerged from the background.
According to the International Encyclopedia of Primatology, Altmann’s work "profoundly changed the prevailing view of females more generally, and of mammalian females more specifically." Her methodology allowed scientists to quantify the impact of maternal behavior on offspring, proving that social and environmental factors—not just genetic blueprints—profoundly shape the phenotype of the next generation. Her work provided the empirical backbone for the understanding that nature is far more collaborative than it is competitive.
Rewriting the Social Narrative: Dr. Shirley Strum’s Baboon Studies
While Altmann revolutionized the how of science, Dr. Shirley Strum revolutionized the what. Beginning her research on olive baboons in 1972, Strum entered a field that was still obsessed with the "alpha male" archetype. The prevailing consensus was that male dominance was the sole mechanism for safety, access to resources, and reproductive success.
Strum’s findings dismantled this theory entirely. Through years of careful observation, she discovered that while aggression existed, it was merely one tool in a vast, sophisticated toolkit of social survival.
Cooperation as a Survival Strategy
Strum observed that both male and female baboons relied heavily on reciprocity and friendship to navigate their environments. Perhaps the most famous example of this was her documentation of male baboons using infants as "living shields." By holding an infant, a male could de-escalate aggressive threats from others, as no member of the troop would risk harming the young. This was not a display of dominance, but a highly complex, strategic use of social bonds to ensure safety.
Furthermore, Strum documented that friendships were a core pillar of baboon society. Males would form long-term bonds with females, often acting as babysitters for their offspring, for which they were rewarded with social grooming. These relationships were not incidental; they were essential. Strum’s work proved that, in many ways, the social lives of baboons are more comparable to human social structures than those of the more "dramatic" chimpanzees or gorillas.
Historical Context: Science in a Constrained Era
It is not a coincidence that these breakthroughs occurred in the 1970s, a decade of profound social upheaval. This was the same era in which Jane Goodall’s In The Shadow of Man brought primate research to the masses, even as she faced intense criticism from the academic establishment for the "unscientific" practice of naming her subjects.
This era of scientific discovery was occurring simultaneously with significant societal barriers. For many of these women, the intellectual freedom they experienced in the field was not mirrored in their domestic lives. In 1968, for instance, a woman could not legally open a bank account in her own name; she was legally classified under her husband’s identity. The persistence required to pursue a career in science under these conditions—and to force that science to evolve—cannot be overstated.
The structural bias of the time—where men were viewed as the default subjects and the default scientists—was the very thing these women had to overcome to see the truth of the natural world.
Implications for Modern Animal Behavior and Training
The legacy of Altmann and Strum extends far beyond the study of primates. It has directly influenced modern dog training and our general understanding of domestic animal behavior. For decades, the "dominance theory" dominated dog training circles, urging owners to "assert their alpha status" to gain obedience.
We now know, thanks to the foundation laid by these researchers, that this approach is largely a misinterpretation of canine social life. Just as in baboon societies, domestic dog social structures are built on communication, context, and cooperation rather than constant power struggles. Recognizing that animals—like humans—are motivated by social stability, reciprocity, and trust has led to a kinder, more effective paradigm in animal care. We have moved from a "nature, red in tooth and claw" perspective to one that recognizes "nature, light blue in heart and soul."
Meanwhile, Back on the Farm
As we celebrate these scientific advancements, life at the farm continues to provide its own lessons in behavior. Spring is a season of reset, particularly when the sheep are sheared. Because sheep rely heavily on scent to identify one another, the act of shearing creates a temporary social crisis. They must essentially "re-introduce" themselves to their peers.
Watching the annual "smack down" between established ewes like Snow White and Beyonce provides a living laboratory for the concepts of social hierarchy and friendship. It is fascinating to observe that, despite the chaos of shearing, alliances remain intact. A smaller, unrelated ewe will often step in to protect a friend, confirming that even in our own pastures, the instinct for cooperation remains a dominant force.
A New Season
As the Texas bluebells bloom and the Wisconsin landscape begins to thaw, there is a sense of renewal that mirrors the growth in our scientific understanding. It is a time to reflect on the stories we tell about the natural world. Whether we are observing primates in Kenya or sheep in a barn, the evidence is clear: the most successful social structures are those built on connection.
For those interested in the intersections of animal behavior and the human experience, I am deeply heartened by the reception of my novel, Away To Me. It has been a joy to see so many readers resonate with the themes of loyalty and the complex, often silent, communication between species. As we look toward the future, let us continue to celebrate the researchers who dared to look past the "action" to find the profound, quiet, and collaborative reality of the animal kingdom. The light they shed continues to guide us toward a more empathetic, and scientifically accurate, understanding of the world around us.
