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Social Network Analysis: Applications to Primate and Cetacean Societies

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Primates and Cetaceans

Part of the book series: Primatology Monographs ((PrimMono))

Abstract

To better address questions concerning animal sociality, animal behaviorists and behavioral ecologists are increasingly turning to the suite of analytical techniques known as social network analysis (SNA). SNA allows for the quantification of multi-actor interactions, thereby providing a more realistic representation of social patterns and relationships. Here, we provide a brief introduction to SNA, consider some of the challenges in studying sociality, and discuss the application of SNA to studies of animal societies, with a focus on primates and cetaceans. Additionally, we present techniques for network comparison and dynamic network analysis developed in the social sciences with exciting potential applications to the study of animal behavior.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA

    Margaret A. Stanton & Janet Mann

  2. Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Margaret A. Stanton

  3. Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA

    Janet Mann

Authors
  1. Margaret A. Stanton
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  2. Janet Mann
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Correspondence to Margaret A. Stanton .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Science Laboratory of Human Evolution Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Juichi Yamagiwa

  2. The Swire Institute of Marine Science School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Shek O, Hong Kong SAR

    Leszek Karczmarski

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Stanton, M.A., Mann, J. (2014). Social Network Analysis: Applications to Primate and Cetacean Societies. In: Yamagiwa, J., Karczmarski, L. (eds) Primates and Cetaceans. Primatology Monographs. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54523-1_18

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