This paper introduces a Theme Issue presenting the latest developments in research on the
interplay between flexibility and constraint in social behaviour, using comparative datasets …

One way in which a new organismic character can originate is via allelic replacement: a
mutant genetic allele increases in frequency under selection favouring the affected …

Environmental change poses challenges to many organisms. The resilience of a species to
such change depends on its ability to respond adaptively. Social flexibility is such an …

Endocrine and neuroendocrine systems are key mediators of behavioural plasticity and
allow for the ability to shift social behaviour across dynamic contexts. These systems operate …

Previously, it was widely believed that each species has a specific social organization, but
we know now that many species show intraspecific variation in their social organization …

Traditional neo-Darwinism ascribes geographical variation in morphology or in behaviour to
varying selection on local genotypes. However, mobile and long-lived organisms cannot …

Social interactions are central to most animals and have a fundamental impact upon the
phenotype of an individual. Social behavior (social interactions among conspecifics) …

Highlights•We review studies on conformity in humans and nonhuman species.•Conformity
sensu human psychology and study of cultural evolution are distinguished.•Our review …

Traditional interpretations of the evolution of animal societies have suggested that their
structure is a consequence of attempts by individuals to maximize their inclusive fitness …

What can the evolution of animal behaviour tell us about human behaviour? More
specifically, how good an account of animal behaviour can we give in terms of evolution …