The Advantage of Being a Jerk: Insights from Chimpanzee Studies.
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Duke University found that male chimpanzees with bullying, greedy, and irritable personalities achieved higher social status and had greater reproductive success than their more submissive and conscientious counterparts. The team observed 28 male chimps in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park to determine the impact of personality traits on success. While the benefits of aggressive behavior were clear, the team found no evidence that certain traits were only advantageous at specific life stages, leading them to conclude that other factors, such as environmental or social conditions, may explain the diversity of personalities in chimpanzees.
