The baby may be pushed, chased, grabbed, or threatened by the elder. These stressful interactions can reveal how the infant develops important social skills, such as recognizing danger, responding to threats, seeking protection from its mother or other group members, and learning the social boundaries of the troop.
Although the behavior may look harsh, conflicts like these can occur naturally within macaque groups, where rank and social relationships strongly influence interactions. The baby’s reactions—such as crying, retreating, clinging to its mother, or avoiding the aggressor—can show how it learns to navigate the complex social life of the troop.
