Final answer:
Monkeys at the bottom of the hierarchy often experience higher stress levels and poorer health outcomes due to lower access to resources and more frequent conflicts. They may have higher stress hormones, weakened immune systems, and damaged social relationships, which affects their overall well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
You're asking about the effects of social hierarchy on monkeys, particularly those at the bottom of the hierarchy. In social structures of non-human primates, such as Old World monkeys and apes, there can be a significant stratification where individuals have different ranks or positions in the social order. Monkeys at the bottom of these social hierarchies tend to suffer from higher levels of stress and can experience adverse health effects as a result.
Social status in monkey societies can influence access to resources, social partners, and overall well-being. Lower-ranking individuals may have less access to food and mates, which could lead to poorer health outcomes. Typically, these monkeys may have higher levels of stress hormones, which can lead to a weakened immune system. They might also have more physical injuries from conflicts with higher-ranking individuals.
The hierarchy you are referring to broadly aligns with the primate social structure and could be seen in studies and observations of primate behavior. Lower-ranking monkeys may have damaged social relationships and a reduced quality of life compared to their higher-ranking counterparts. For example, studies like the Harlows' study on rhesus monkeys have shown that social comfort is more important than food, indicating the profound impact social status can have on primates beyond just basic survival needs.