Final answer:
The most common form of social group among nonhuman primates consists of related females with a core of mothers and their young, while males are often temporary, moving between groups. Gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans exhibit different social structures with varying degrees of solitariness and group living.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common form of nonhuman primate social groups found is one that is essentially composed of related females, with males as temporary members who often move between groups. At the heart of primate society is a set of closely bonded mothers and their young, where females are central actors in most social life. The social structure of primates shows that the glue holding most primate groups together is not male competition but female kinship and solidarity. Additionally, the social organization among primates can be incredibly varied and complex, with both males and females actively strategizing for desirable resources, roles, and relationships.
When looking at specific examples, gorillas and chimpanzees tend to live in family groups with at least one dominant male and multiple females, while orangutans are generally more solitary. Primates demonstrate a range of social structures and behaviours that are essential for their survival and reproduction. This complexity in social organization among nonhuman primates suggests elements of cooperation, competition, and community, akin to concepts of human society as outlined by research from the Smithsonian Institution.