Evolutionary origins of social justice: inequity and pro-social tendencies in domestic dogs

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The aim of this project was to investigate the evolutionary origins of fairness by examining inequity aversion reactions and prosocial tendencies in dogs and other species.During the third fiscal year I analyzed the data from the second set of experiments examining the connection between inequity aversion and prosocial behaviors. The results show previously undescribed relationships: dogs that tend to be more sensitive to inequitable outcomes are overall less prosocial than dogs that tend to be more tolerant to unfair situations. However, there are important individual differences, which may be related with dogs’ personality. I am currently writing the paper for its publication in an international peer-review journal.I also run the third set of tests examining the behavioral and endocrinological development of prosocial behaviors in puppies. Their behavioral responses, which were videotaped, are currently being coded and their cortisol levels assessed from the saliva samples took during the tests. Results from this study will shed light on the extent to which the suggested cognitive constrains are actually in play for the expression of prosocial and inequity aversion responses.Finally, the collaboration with Dr. Sarah Brosnan (Georgia State University, USA) was consolidated and will continue in the future involving Japanese, American & British institutions. So far, we have designed an experiment, and run a pilot study, to test for the first time inequity aversion in wild animals. Data collection will take place during summer 2017.