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What holds groups together? How interdependence shapes group-living

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2025

Angelica Kaufmann Open the ORCID record for Angelica Kaufmann [Opens in a new window] ,
James Brooks Open the ORCID record for James Brooks [Opens in a new window] ,
Liran Samuni Open the ORCID record for Liran Samuni [Opens in a new window]  and
John Michael Open the ORCID record for John Michael [Opens in a new window]
Angelica Kaufmann*
Affiliation:
Cognition in Action (CIA) Unit, PHILAB, Department of Philosophy, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono, Milano 20122, Italy angelica.kaufmann@unimi.it jamesgerardbrooks@gmail.com
James Brooks
Affiliation:
Cooperative Evolution Lab, Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung, Göttingen 37077, Germany LSamuni@dpz.eu john.michael@unimi.it https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Q4WRXWEAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate
Liran Samuni
Affiliation:
Cooperative Evolution Lab, Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung, Göttingen 37077, Germany LSamuni@dpz.eu john.michael@unimi.it https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Q4WRXWEAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate
John Michael
Affiliation:
Cognition in Action (CIA) Unit, PHILAB, Department of Philosophy, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono, Milano 20122, Italy angelica.kaufmann@unimi.it jamesgerardbrooks@gmail.com
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Dunbar’s emphasis on dyadic relationships in group formation overlooks the roles of interdependence and joint commitment in social cohesion. We challenge his premise by highlighting the importance of group-level processes, particularly where top-down group pressures like cooperative breeding and out-group threat can induce joint commitment as an alternate means to sustain group cohesion.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e172
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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References

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