Every animal that lives in groups has to make decisions as a group. Even a seemingly simple decision like "where should we go for dinner?" can be complicated to negotiate. 

 

Is there a simple rule behind how humans and other animals make group decisions? Margaret Crofoot is a primatologist and Leakey Foundation grantee whose research on baboons suggests there is a rule, and it's not what you might think.

 

You can read more about Margaret Crofoot's research and see a video of her GPS data on our blog!

 

 

 

 

 

Origin Stories is a project of The Leakey Foundation. You can support this podcast and the research we talk about by making a tax-deductible donation. All donations will be doubled!

 

This episode is part of the Being Human initiative. A joint project of the Baumann Foundation and The Leakey Foundation dedicated to understanding modern life from an evolutionary perspective.

 

Thanks to Adept Word Management for their transcription service. Visit Adept Word Management for your transcription needs.

 

You can download transcripts of our episodes at leakeyfoundation.org/originstories

 

Produced by Meredith Johnson, edited by Julia Barton.

 

Theme music by Henry Nagle.

 

Additional music from:

Tech Toys by Lee Rosevere

Grand Caravan by Blue Dot Sessions

Stars are Out by Podington Bear

 

Creative Commons music license CC-BY-NC 3.0